Chapter Thirty-Eight

"Your majesty, I can go and grab a chair if you prefer." Malon told Zelda as the redhead fluttered about nervously. She, Talon, and Ingo had just finished placing a multitude of blankets on the ground like a large picnic but all three were nervous that the Queen wouldn't be happy with such a simple affair.

"This shall be fine, Malon." Zelda said with a warm smile at the rancher before she gracefully sat down on Link's left side. "Please, join me." She said as she indicated the open spot on her left.

Malon blushed in embarrassment before she slowly sat down. The… the Queen knows my name? She wondered in awe as she got comfortable.

Everyone who had gathered was currently finding a spot to sit in a large circle that lined up with their own groups they had arrived with. The only exceptions were the Sages, who had split up to sit near their own people.

Link looked at his right shoulder with a grin as Epona laid down behind him, her head placed right over that shoulder, and nickered at him. The blonde reached up to pat her neck, an action that caused her to slowly blink in satisfaction at the action.

"That horse seems to like you." Lucy commented as the Fairy Tail Mages situated themselves on the other side of the Kokiri, who all sat next to Saria with Mido being closest.

"Epona's a friend." Link replied with a warm smile at the mare, who gently nudged him with her snout.

"Forgive me, but I believe everything shall be explained shortly." Zelda cut in before any further questions could come forth. Everyone quieted down as they finished sitting, with the exception of Impa who stood behind Zelda attentively, and the beautiful blonde turned her gaze to the Fairy Tail Mages. Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Happy all locked up while Erza looked at her with a little uncertainty in her eyes. "Before that, though, I wish to know the names of those that arrived with Link." She said a few seconds later and got small sighs of relief from the nervous four.

"My name is Lucy, your majesty." Lucy said with a respectful nod of her head.

"Please, everyone call me Zelda for now." Zelda replied to her fellow blonde and everyone looked at her in surprise. "I would like it if I could call a friend of Link's one as well." She explained with a smile and Lucy couldn't help but relax at her warm, strong presence.

"If… if you insist your- um… Zelda." Lucy said uncertainly and Zelda nodded her head gracefully.

"So does that mean we're nakama with royalty now?" Natsu whispered to Gray uncertainly, the Dragon Slayer still trying to process everything, and the Ice-Make Mage shrugged back just as uncertainly.

"Nakama?" Zelda asked curiously as her gaze shifted to Natsu, making him and Gray lock up in surprise. "I have never heard that word before." She continued with a tilt of her head.

"It's a word from Fiore, where I've been." Link said for the two frozen mages. "It means great friends, ones you can always count on no matter what." He explained with a smile and everyone from Hyrule looked at each other curiously.

"Are these people 'nakama' to you?" Zelda asked Link, who immediately nodded his head. Everyone from Hyrule looked at the group from Fairy Tail with new respect, for to have Link say such a thing was the highest recommendation any of them could think of. "Then I must truly finish introductions, forgive my interruption." She requested to which the fire and ice duo swallowed nervously before nodding their heads vigorously.

Erza laughed softly at their reaction before looking at Zelda calmly. "I am Erza Scarlet." She brought her right hand up to her breastplate and nodded her head respectfully before pausing as she heard the metallic sound. "Oh, I had forgotten this." She said before Ex-Equipped the breastplate to show her sleeveless white blouse. Everyone from Hyrule looked at the display in surprise, as did Link but for a different reason.

"Natsu Dragneel." The Fire Dragon Slayer said with a grin, his hesitation fading at the continued lack of formality from Zelda.

"Gray Fullbuster." The Ice-Make Mage said with a nod.

"I'm Happy!" The blue feline said cheerfully as he put his paw into the air.

Zelda gave them each a nod at their introductions before returning her gaze to Erza. "You use magic?" She asked and Erza blinked as she realized the looks of surprise she was getting. "Also, why do some of you have two names?" She went on with a hint of confusion and the Fairy Tail Mages looked at each other in their own confusion.

Erza looked back at Zelda after a few seconds and nodded her head. "I do use magic. In fact all of us are mages." She said and got further looks of surprise. "We are part of a Mage's Guild called Fairy Tail." The redhead shifted her left arm to show off her blue Fairy Tail mark. "As for two names, it is customary in Fiore. I thought it the same here." She said as she gestured to Link with her right hand.

"Fascinating." Zelda said thoughtfully as she took in Erza's mark and compared it to the one on Natsu's right shoulder and Lucy's right hand. "Forgive our surprise but magic users are rare in Hyrule." She said after a few seconds and the Fairy Tail Mages looked at her in surprise. "Also, why would Link give you the idea that two names are customary in Hyrule?" She asked curiously as everyone turned to look at the green-clad blonde.

Before he could say anything, though, Erza's eyes widened in realization. "Link Kokiri… Link of the Kokiri?" She asked with an amused grin and Link nodded his head with a sheepish grin in confirmation. "I take it Master requested you to choose a last name to better fit in?" Erza got another confirming nod from him.

"It's a good fit." Mido said with a nod of his head and Link blinked before looking at him in surprise.

"I see. That would indeed make sense." Zelda said with a slow nod. "However, what about Lucy and Happy?" She asked as she gestured to the two.

"Well, I'm… my last name usually causes trouble." Lucy said uncomfortably as she looked away.

"May I ask why?" Zelda asked, concern showing in her eyes.

"Well, Lucy's technically a princess as well, I guess." Natsu said with a chuckle and got looks of surprise even as Lucy shot him a glare. "She just chose to live as a- OOF!" The pink-haired mage was cut off as Lucy slammed an elbow into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

"Don't make a joke like that right now!" Lucy snapped at him in a mixture of anger and embarrassment, to which the Hylians and Kokiri winced as their ears flicked at the volume of her voice. "Oh! Sorry about that." Lucy apologized as her anger faded in her growing embarrassment.

"Is everyone from this Fiore place so blasted loud?" Talon asked in a slightly disgruntled tone and Link nodded his head. "It's a wonder you can still hear anything." He grumbled, getting an amused smile and shrug in reply.

"So, Lucy, are you a princess?" Malon asked curiously as she leaned forward slightly.

"No, I'm not." Lucy said firmly with a quick glare at the recovering Natsu, who gave a weak chuckle in reply. "But…" The blonde trailed off before she sighed and looked to the side. "My family is very wealthy, but it consumes my father. It's the only thing that matters to him, especially after… after my mother passed away." She explained sadly and almost everyone's faces turned sympathetic, the only exception being Impa who remained impassive. "I got tired of it and ran away from home to join a Mage's Guild. After meeting up with this walking catastrophe," Lucy motioned to Natsu with her right hand and a smile on her face, "I was able to get into Fairy Tail." She finished in a bright tone that brought smiles from all around at the happy turn.

"I've always been just Happy." Happy said a few moments later and many of them shook their heads in bemusement, for as far as they could tell his name also seemed to be his default mood.

"And those that join this Fairy Tail receive that mark?" Zelda asked curiously as she gestured at the ones she could see.

"Aye!" Happy exclaimed as he stood up to show off the green Fairy Tail mark in the middle of his back.

"Wait, does that mean you can use magic?" Ingo asked as everyone not of Fairy Tail looked at the mark in surprise.

"Aye, sir!" Happy replied as he turned back around. White wings extended from his back and with a quick flap he was hovering in the air. "I use Aera Magic to grow wings and fly." He reported with a smile while receiving varying looks of surprise.

"So you're a talking… flying… magic-using cat." Talon said after he finally got over his shock. "What was that about this guy not being the weirdest thing connected to Link?" He asked Malon in a slightly sarcastic tone, his right thumb jerking over to indicate Happy, as everyone else continued to look at the flying cat in surprise.

"This… this might make the top ten." Malon allowed with a slow nod of her head while Natsu laughed at their reactions. Happy also laughed as he went back to the ground and retracted his wings into his back again.

A movement from Link got everyone looking over to see him pulling his right sleeve up to reveal his own green Fairy Tail mark. "Wait, you joined this Guild?" Navi asked with a small, surprised chime and got a nod from him. A few seconds later she issued an amused chime as she flew in front of the mark. "So you've gone from being worried about getting a fairy partner, to partnering with me and even gaining the favor of the Great Fairies, to joining a group called Fairy Tail? You truly are a fairy boy, aren't you?" She asked dryly with another amused chime.

Link blinked and his ears flicked twice as he processed that question before giving an amused chuckle, everyone looking at him with wide eyes. "W-wait… you've met the Great Fairies?" Reso asked in breathless awe as he, Soso, and Mido stared at him.

"Hold on, there are Great Fairies?" Lucy asked in wide-eyed shock.

"I… I thought they were just myths." Malon said with a similar expression on her face. "You never mentioned them before, Navi." She went on before a soft clap from Zelda got everyone's attention.

"Enough. Let us keep things organized or we will continue to stumble over ourselves. We shall hear this in order and… and…" Zelda trailed off as a blush came to her face. "Why are you undressing?" She asked as Gray finished putting his black shirt to the side and Malon had a blush start to overtake her as well.

The Ice-Make Mage blinked in surprise before he looked down at his bare torso, his dark blue Fairy Tail mark on his right pectoral. "Whoops." He said with a nervous chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, it's… it's a force of habit." The dark-haired mage usually wouldn't be bothered by this, but doing so in front of royalty, even if stuffy rules weren't being enforced, made him a bit sheepish.

"By all means, please continue." Naiteri said in an amused tone as she leered at Gray's revealed chest and abs. "The show is half the fun." She added as Zelda and Malon felt their faces flush a brighter red. Even Lucy now had one at the teasing words, though Irim, Aveil, and Nabooru gave a soft laugh of amused agreement.

"Gray, are you trying to embarrass Fairy Tail?" Erza cut in sternly and Gray locked up in fear before he quickly shook his head. "Then explain this deplorable habit and do not continue." She ordered and Gray gulped before he offered a beaten nod of his head.

"I like her." Aveil whispered to Irim and got a nod of agreement from her as they watched how easily their fellow redhead had commanded the dark-haired mage.

"I use Ice-Make Magic." Gray said before he brought up right fist over his left palm. "Part of my training included being out in icy conditions in only my underwear to get a better feel for it." He explained before he made a small, detailed ice sculpture of Zelda. "Ever since then, I-" Gray cut himself off as he noticed a less than positive reaction to his display.

Ruto, Nojam, and his soldiers all locked up at the sight of the ice, the two soldiers unable to control the panicked movements of their head-tails. "Are you three okay?" Gray asked in concern as he had the sculpture shatter into small pieces that settled on and around him.

"It… it is nothing." Ruto slowly uttered as Link and the Sages looked at her in concern. Link had forgotten what kind of reaction the sight of ice might garner from the Zoras and felt guilty in not mentioning it before Gray's display. "However, see to it that you do not get any of that near me nor my people." She ordered imperiously with a glare.

Gray gave her a confused nod before his eyes widened slightly as he remembered something. He gave a quick glance towards Link, who was still looking at Ruto and the other two in concern, and recalled the blonde's initial reaction to the ice and snow of his first winter in Fiore. Link had thought it was a similar curse he had seen before he had arrived and had to be knocked out by Makarov before he went charging out the door.

Erza was remembering the same thing as her gaze went from Link to Nojam. "I have never cared for your kind, Gerudo, even before he cursed my people." Nojam's words echoed in her mind, quickly followed by the reactions of the Zora to Gray's Ice-Make Magic.

Did Link save them from this curse? Erza wondered as she considered the Zora's earlier actions. With everyone else they had been cool and superior-minded, but with Link he had been viewed more as an equal.

"I'm a Fire Dragon Slayer." Natsu said with a grin as he held up a fire-enshrouded hand, unaware of Gray's and Erza's thoughts. "My magic was made to fight against dragons." He explained proudly as his grin became a smirk.

"To fight against dragons?" Darunia asked as Goron Link and the other two Gorons gulped heavily. "We certainly could have used you earlier, little guy." He said with a sad smile as he looked down at his massive right hand. "Tell me, where did you learn it?" Link's eyes went wide as his ears flicked rapidly in alarm.

"From-"

"Natsu!" Link cut in sharply, his voice only slightly raised but cracked like a whip, and everyone looked at him in surprise. He slowly shook his head at Natsu's questioning look.

"What's wrong with telling them I learned it from Igneel?" Natsu asked curiously and all the Gorons groaned curiously, not sure why Link had been against that.

"Stop at that." Link said with an uncertain glance at Darunia.

"What's wrong, Brother?" Darunia asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion. "Who is this Igneel?" He asked and Link's eyes narrowed before he sighed and closed his eyes. Erza's eyes widened slightly as she realized what he must have been trying to stop.

"Igneel's my dad, a powerful fire dragon." Natsu said with a smile as he crossed his arms over his chest and got looks of surprise at his statement.

Darunia's eyes went wide in shock as Goron Link and the other two Gorons quickly rolled into quivering balls, turning Natsu's grin into a look of confusion at their reactions. "GUUOOOGGHH!" The Sage of Fire roared as he got to his feet with a speed that one wouldn't normally expect from a being of his size.

"Darunia!" Zelda snapped firmly but was ignored as the massive Goron rushed in ponderously, causing tears in the blankets from his weight. All of the non-Sages of Hyrule, with the exception of the still rolled-up Gorons, hurriedly moved away at the look of pure rage on Darunia's face.

Link appeared before the already reacting Natsu and put both hands out. "Nayru's Devotion!" He said and a 6-foot tall and 2-inch thick crystal shield appeared in front of him as the enraged Darunia punched down with his massive right fist. Link's eyes narrowed in preparation for the impact but blinked in surprise as Darunia's punch was easily deflected without any feelings of strain. How? He wondered as he looked at the shield and then turned his attention to the gasping Darunia. The blonde knew how much strength Darunia had even before becoming the Sage of Fire, so to not feel any kind of pull took him off guard. He was hardly the only one surprised by this, though the reasons varied at his casual display of the spell.

"Brother, calm down." Link said as he filed that thought away for later, now he needed to calm things down. "Igneel was not like Volvagia and Natsu is not a dragon." He explained to the glaring and shaking mountain of fury.

Darunia blinked at Link's words and then issued a confused groan as he slowly started to relax. "Brother, are you trying to tell me that there are good dragons?" He asked incredulously as his gaze shifted between Link and Natsu.

"Igneel was the best!" Natsu cut in as he jumped to his feet with a glare. "I won't… wait…" He started off hotly but trailed off as he looked between Link and Darunia. "Volvagia is the name of the dragon you were so angry about?" The Dragon Slayer asked and Link's eyes closed as he dismissed Nayru's Devotion.

A sharp clap from Zelda got everyone's attention to see her looking at Darunia crossly. "Everyone, return to your seats!" She ordered sharply and the force of her presence had Natsu immediately sitting down as everyone else quickly moved to obey with the exception of Darunia and Link. "Darunia, if you would please?" She requested and the massive Goron sighed.

"Brother, I promise you that they'll be safe." Link said as he moved up to stand before his Sworn Brother.

Darunia looked down at him for a few seconds before a grin crossed his gruff face. "Then I know there's no danger, Brother." He said with a heavy pat on Link's shoulder before he went back to the slowly uncoiling Goron trio.

Zelda looked at the torn blankets as Link went back to sit beside her and sighed. She closed her eyes and murmured to herself before holding her right hand up. There was a brief flash of light and when it faded the damage was gone. "You have my apologies for what just transpired, Malon." She said as she looked over at the wide-eyed redhead.

"Oh… yeah, sorry about that." Darunia added in as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's… it's okay." Malon got out as she finished sitting back down next to Zelda. "From what Navi told us before, I can understand why you lost control." She said with an uncertain smile at Darunia, still unnerved by the raw strength and anger that had radiated from the now gentle giant.

"Navi, perhaps it would be best if you-"

"HOO HOO!" Everyone jerked in surprise at the loud hooting of an owl that cut Zelda off. Natsu, Happy, and Gray actually started to stand up at the sound before pausing as a massive brown owl was rapidly gliding down from the sky. Link smiled at the sight of the enigmatic bird as it carefully landed several feet away, getting a warning snort from Epona. "Well, the Hero of Time truly has returned after all." The owl said as it regarded Link with its sharp blue gaze.

"Kaepora." Link greeted with a quick nod of his head as he gave Epona a comforting pat on her neck. The talking owl was easily six feet tall with dark brown feathers on his wings and back. His stomach was colored a lighter brown with downy feathers, a matching color on his dark-golden beaked face with two darker feathers arcing up over his eyes almost like eyebrows.

"A talking bird!" Happy shouted in shock as he pointed at Kaepora, a reaction finally shared by the winged cat and everyone else not familiar with the wise owl.

"Indeed, my feline friend." Kaepora said with a quick hoot of amusement. "I couldn't help but overhear on my way here, but is it true these five were unaware of your heroics?" He asked as his head did a 180 degree downward turn.

Couldn't help but overhear? Lucy wondered in shock at the phrasing. He would have to put even Link to shame with hearing that good.

"That is correct, Kaepora." Erza replied as she quickly recovered. After everything else that had happened in the past couple of hours it was hard to keep the Requip Mage confused for too long. "Navi was about to relate the tale to us." She said with a gesture to the blue fairy. Navi and the other fairies was something that had taken a little longer to get used to, due to the reverence her Guild had for fairies in general, but now she was becoming accustomed to them.

"A fine tale it shall be… the Legend of the Hero of Time I believe is a good name for it, hoo hoo." Kaepora said with a quick flutter of his wings. Link blushed and his ears flicked in embarrassment as everyone nodded and sounded off in agreement. "Tell me, though, would you all be interested in a different way of learning the tale?" He asked as he brought his head back around to an upright position.

"You think you can tell it better?" Navi demanded with an annoyed chime as she hovered over Link's head.

"I would not dare to presume." The owl replied calmly. "However, it may be possible to watch the events to better understand them." Kaepora went on and everyone's eyes widened in surprise. "If, of course, the approval of two individuals would be granted, hoo hoo." He said as his eyes shifted to Zelda. "Your Majesty, this would require the Chamber of Sages. The last Sage may be its custodian, but only one may authorize such a use." He head jerked down in a sharp, respectful bow to the queen before his gaze went to Link. "Hero, these are your trials and tribulations that shall be seen. Even with her Majesty's permission for others to enter the Chamber, the hardships are yours to share or not."

Link was silent as he digested Kaepora's words before his eyes narrowed as he looked down and his ears started to twitch. "Link, if you agree to this then I shall grant those who wish to see permission to enter the Chamber of Sages." Zelda said softly as everyone watched him struggle with the decision.

"What's the big deal?" Natsu asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. "It sounds like you had a fun adventure, why not let us see it?" He asked with a grin.

Navi issued a sharp chime that cut off everyone as they started to react to Natsu's statement. "What did you call it?" She asked softly as she started to drift towards Natsu. The Fire Dragon Slayer blinked before he and the Fairy Tail Mages looked around in surprise at the mixture of sadness and hostility that pressed in on Natsu. "Do you even know how a hero gets the title?" She asked as she stopped a few feet before him.

"Navi," Link said calmly as he kept his gaze downward.

"Do you!?" Navi demanded sharply, ignoring Link as she bounced in the air. Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Happy all flinched away while Erza's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"They rise up in a time of great adversity and triumph despite any challenges before them." Erza answered softly before she turned her brown-eyed gaze to Link.

"That's right, so try to remember that before you say something so stupid again, Natsu." Navi said angrily before she turned away and flew back to Link. "Understand this. If you belittle what Link went through like that again, if you dare mock the pain he endured, I will find a way to make you pay." She swore, getting nods of agreement from all round, before she paused mid-flight as Link looked up.

The green-clad Hylian brought his left hand up and Navi went to land on it gently. "Navi, they also know of pain and hardships." He said and Navi let out a chime of surprise even as Link looked up. His gaze fixed on Erza's for several seconds, recalling his earlier determination to finally share his past, before he looked to his left with no more hesitation in his eyes. "Zelda, anyone who wishes to view this has my permission." Link said softly.

Zelda studied him for a few seconds before she nodded her head and gracefully stood up. "Sages, prepare to transport everyone." She said and then looked over at Kaepora as Darunia, Saria, Ruto, and Nabooru stood up. "Kaepora, thank you for informing me of this." She said as the Sages of the Forest, Fire, Water, Spirit, and Shadow brought their palms together and closed their eyes.

Kaepora offered another jerky, sharp nod of his head before his gaze went to Link. "Hero, know that at any time you may change your mind. This shall be hardest on you, yet I felt this would be the best way for all to better understand just what you achieved." He said before he paused as he ruffled his feathers, waiting for and finally receiving an understanding nod from Link. The predatory gaze of the owl softened and for a second he almost appeared to smile. "It is truly good to see you again my young friend, hoo hoo!" Kaepora's hoots came out loudly as he flapped his wings mightily to fly off into the sky.

Everyone else stood up as Zelda looked over them solemnly. "Everyone, the words of Navi and Kaepora are not to be taken lightly. Even I do not know all that Link endured, but that which I do know is… unpleasant at times to say the least." She said sadly and they looked amongst themselves uncertainly.

"All the more reason I wish to know." Erza said firmly and with no hesitation as she looked at Zelda. "I had seen it shadow the fire in his eyes when he first arrived in Fiore, but fear of my own past prevented me from truly reaching out to help him. I will not turn away when he has freely offered this chance." She said, causing everyone to look at her in surprise at her certainty.

Link looked at her in a mixture of surprise and confusion, not sure why she thought she had not already helped him even after their tearful exchange. Of course that brought up the kiss and had him glancing away with a mild blush as his ears flicked.

Navi noticed the look on Link's face and found herself becoming more and more curious about what exactly her partner had experienced in this other place.

Zelda smiled warmly at Erza as the Fairy Tail Mages all nodded their heads in agreement, quickly followed by the remainder of everyone there. "Epona, shall you be coming as well?" She asked of the mare, something that confused the Zoras and Gorons. They quickly blinked in surprise, though, as Epona let out a snort and took a step forward and placed her head against Link's. "As expected of such a noble and determined creature." She said with a nod before her expression turned serious. "Very well then, everyone gather together in the center." She ordered and everyone moved to obey as the Sages remained in place. "Prepare yourselves for a sight only one non-Sage has ever seen." She said as a rainbow crystal surrounded everyone. Before they could react, they all vanished in a flash of light.

Chamber of Sages

When everyone could see again, they found themselves standing on a large, light blue platform that floated in a vast space of an endlessly shifting aurora. No one could say anything as the sheer presence of the place enfolded them with a sense of reverence, not even Natsu and Happy were immune to it. The feeling of stepping into something ancient and sacred left them speechless for several minutes before they were able to function properly again.

Once everyone could function again, they not only noticed that the Sages had brought their hands down but a new figure that stood before them, an ancient-looking Hylian. The elderly man wore orange robes with a crimson vestment that circled around his collarbone and went down his front. Over the robes he also wore a red sash going across his waist with a white cloth hanging from it. He was completely bald with white eyebrows and a white mustache that went to his ears in a style that matched Talon's. His blue eyes were filled with a calm serenity as he regarded his guests before he focused his attention on Link.

"Welcome back, Hero of Time. It is good to see thou hath survived thine injuries." Rauru said with a small bow that Link returned. "I know that Kaepora already asked this, but I wish to confirm that thou are certain." He said as he straightened from his bow.

Link nodded his head as Navi carefully landed on his shoulder and then placed one small hand on his cheek.

"Very well." Rauru said with a nod before he turned away from them, his robes flaring slightly with the movement. "Temper thine feelings and prepare thine resolve. Be aware that while viewing the past there is nothing that can be done to alter it, however much one might wish it. For those that have already experienced a portion of this tale, do not falter when the darkest of times appears before thee." He intoned as he brought his arms up in a wide, sweeping motion.

Malon, Talon, and Ingo all swallowed as they finally grasped what was about to happen and shame flashed in Ingo's eyes as he looked down at the platform. A hand on his shoulder had him looking up to see a comforting smile on Talon's face, which garnered an appreciative grin from the taller rancher.

Mido, Reso, and Soso looked down at the ground, a troubled look on Mido's face, as they also realized what was about to take place. The worst time of their long lives was about to replay before them, and from what had been said it was only a part of what had taken place outside of the Lost Woods.

Nojam and his two subordinates shivered slightly as they recalled the curse that had befallen their people.

Goron Link and the adult Gorons swallowed before they firmed with a nod to each other and a look at the blank-faced Darunia.

"Long-winded old man, huh?" Natsu whispered to Happy and got a nod of agreement from the blue cat. A slim hand rested on his shoulder, making him look back curiously before he locked up in fear at the glare Erza was giving him. He gulped before slowly nodding his head at the warning in her eyes.

"We shall start at the beginning." Rauru said as the aurora started to swirl around them rapidly in a beautiful yet dizzying display. "Behold, Kokiri Village." The colors merged together and then it seemed as if they had been transported over a clearing in the middle of a vast forest.

Link, Mido, Reso, Soso, and Saria smiled at the sight while everyone else looked on with wide eyes as they saw the homes of the Kokiri. They appeared to be made from stout trees that were about ten feet in height and as round while a few looked to be carved into taller trees with ladders going up to doorways. Several child-like Kokiri could be seen running around and laughing, both the boys and girls all had orange hair and were attired in the same manner as Mido. Each one of them also had a fairy fluttering around with them as well; either green or orange. A sense of timeless peace and safety filled everyone, combined with a child-like joy reflected in the easy laughter and play of the Kokiri. A sudden blue ball of light flying in from the trees got everyone's attention.

"Where is it supposed to be again?" Navi wondered out loud as she flew in swiftly before going up in a diagonal arc. When she was fifty feet up the blue fairy paused and turned around before stopping when she was pointed at one of the tall Kokiri tree-homes with a ladder. She let out a brief, satisfied chime before flying towards it.

Everyone blinked as they suddenly found themselves inside a wooden room. It was basic in appearance with a small table was in the middle, a couple of chairs, and a bed with a sleeping child on it. The main thing that stood out was that didn't look like it should be able to hold all of them.

"Sir, how is this possible?" Lucy asked curiously as she tried to figure it out. The image froze and sounds stopped as Rauru looked back at the interruption to regard her. Lucy swallowed nervously at his heavy gaze, suddenly rethinking her question.

Rauru, though, found his face softening slightly at the honest curiosity and desire for knowledge he found in the girl's eyes. "Perhaps I should explain to prevent further interruptions concerning such matters." He said as he brought his arms down and then turned around to face everyone. "This is the Chamber of Sages, a place separate from and yet tied to Hyrule." The Sage of Light saw the confusion his words caused in most of those gathered and hummed thoughtfully to himself. "Think of it as its own world, one that allows a learned Sage to view all that is and was in Hyrule." He tried and at that statement several eyes went wide.

"Wait, what about what is yet to come?" Lucy asked, finding herself using the same phrasing as she thought things through. "Could you use this place to see what is coming to prepare for it?" She asked and almost everyone jerked in surprise at the thought, the exceptions being Link and the Sages.

"Nay, for the future is the realm of the divine." Rauru answered firmly. "One may see the present and remember the past, but to see the future is to see an infinite web of possibilities. Mortal minds may be able to handle a certain number, but beyond that would crush even a Sage's mind." He said and Lucy swallowed nervously as she considered that. "Still, it is impressive that thou endeavored to determine the limit so judiciously." The blonde blinked at his words before a small blush came to her as she got several impressed looks at receiving such praise from the Ancient Sage.

"Since the Chamber can be used as a window, scale and other such considerations mean little." Rauru went on with his explanation a couple of seconds later. "If so desired, we could view the interior of a child's bedroom as easily as a vast mountain range." He finished and everyone slowly nodded in understanding.

"Thank you, sir." Lucy said with a respectful nod and received a solemn one in return.

Rauru wordlessly turned back and then brought his arms back up. Immediately the sounds of the forest returned and then changed to focus on the young blonde dressed in a green tunic and sleeping face-up on top of a red-quilted bed. Everyone but Impa, Rauru, Nojam, and one of his underlings offered varying smiles at the young Link, the blonde's face peaceful in his slumber.

Navi flew in from an opening in the room and paused when she saw the sleeping Link. "What's this?" She said to herself in disbelief as she flew over to him. "Hey, what are you doing sleeping in so late? Get up! The Great Deku Tree needs to see you!" She declared importantly, to which Link mumbled sleepily before turning away from her.

"Yep, definitely Link." Natsu said with a nod that got sounds of amusement from Navi, Saria, Mido, Reso, Soso, Gray, Happy, Lucy, and Erza while Link could only scratch his cheek.

"The Great Deku Tree really couldn't have meant this one, right?" Navi muttered to herself after a few seconds. "How can this lazy kid be able to help anyone, let alone such a powerful being?"

Link blinked at that before he glanced at his partner, who let out a small chime while her wings fluttered as laughter ensued at the comment. "So my first impression of you wasn't accurate." Navi admitted sheepishly and got a quick chuckle from the blonde.

"Grrr… HEY! LISTEN!" Navi screamed as she flew around the sleeping boy. This time his eyes snapped open as he jerked up to a sitting position. "Finally!" She huffed in exasperation as Link's eyes drooped before he let out a yawn as he stretched.

"So cute." Malon giggled and Link's ears flicked in mild embarrassment as the other women made sounds of agreement.

Link looked up at Navi sleepily after his yawn and went still as he finally recognized her as a fairy. "Now that you're awake, I've been sent to get you by the Great Deku Tree." Navi said in a huff before she paused. "Also… I've been told I'm to be your fairy partner. I look forward to working with you." She went on in a calmer tone and then waited for his response.

Link didn't react for several moments when suddenly his eyes went wide as they sparkled with pure joy. "I knew it!" He yelled happily as he leapt up and started to jump on his bed in glee. "I knew the Great Deku Tree wouldn't forget about me!" He went on with a laugh.

After a few seconds, he suddenly froze mid-jump and went into a small bounce he used to land on the wooden floor. "Sorry!" He apologized with an embarrassed blush on his face before he composed himself and bowed towards the hovering fairy. "My name is Link. I look forward to working with you as well, Navi." The young blonde said politely.

"Well, I guess you have some manners after all." Navi allowed with an amused chime that had Link looking up with a smile. "However, the Great Deku Tree wants to speak to you. He says he needs your help with something." She said seriously with another chime, this one of impatience.

Link took a sharp intake of breath in surprise at her words before he ran to the table and grabbed his green cap. "Oh man, first a fairy partner and now the Great Deku Tree needs my help?" He wondered excitedly as he put his cap on and ensured a snug fit. A wide grin was on his face as he rushed over to the open doorway and grabbed a pair of brown ankle-boots. Once they were on, he did a couple of taps on the toe of each boot before he turned and grabbed a wooden sword set on a loop and slung it over his left shoulder. When he had it in place, he grabbed a wooden shield and placed it on his back over the sword. The shield had an orange symbol that started with a single point that arced upward gracefully to the right before it split into two different directions. The left line arced up and gradually came back to the right before coming to an end at a thin point while the right line arced for a few inches before suddenly twisting back around like a curling vine. A thin line connected the end of the left branch to the curve of the right one as it started its inward twist.

These were his Deku Sword and Deku Shield, fashioned from proffered bark of the Great Deku Tree for his children. Link rotated his shoulders around to make sure they were in their proper place to minimize their effect on his mobility. With that done, he looked up and gave Navi a smiling nod. "I'm ready to go, Navi." He said and the fairy gave a quick chime before flying out the door with her new partner behind her.

"Wh-who is that?" Natsu stammered out, his face slack with shock, and Rauru brought his arms down to still the image. The Fire Dragon Slayer was hardly the only one surprised, as everyone but the Kokiri, Rauru, and Impa all had varying expressions on shock on their faces. "Seriously, who the hell was that?" He demanded as he looked at Link, who couldn't help but grin at the disbelief surrounding him.

Saria let out a giggle at the question, though the sound had a sad tinge to it as well.

"See, that's part of why we didn't think that this guy was Link." Reso explained to an equally amused Mido.

"He's… he's too quiet." Soso picked up as everyone slowly looked at them. "I mean, I know Link was never one to talk endlessly, but he was never one to stay quiet for all that long, either." He went on and at that the gathering blinked in continued shock.

"Quiet." Mido commanded before he swallowed thickly. "Let's… let's just keep watching." He ordered with a quick glance at Link before he looked forward again.

"Sorry about that, old man." Natsu said with a sheepish grin as he rubbed the back of his head.

Rauru paused at that as Erza grabbed Natsu's ear and twisted it at the lack of proper respect for the Ancient Sage. The elderly man nodded and brought his arms up again, ignoring the whines of pain from the Dragon Slayer. What showed up next immediately brought a sad smile to Saria.

"Hey, Link!" A familiar voice called out as Link ran up to the ladder leading down to the ground. The blonde smiled widely as Saria ran up with a green fairy over her right shoulder. "There you are! I was wondering where you were at!" She called up with a bright smile and a wave of her right hand.

"Good morning, Saria!" Link called back down before he ran forward a few steps and jumped down from his porch to a drop of twenty feet. Saria's eyes went wide with concern as she came to a stop before she sighed in exasperation. Link landed on his hands and immediately went into a forward roll that brought up him up to his feet smoothly and his smile still in place. "Guess wha-?"

"How many times do I need to tell you to stop doing that?" Saria demanded with an angry pout as she glared at Link, cutting him off as a surprised Navi slowly flew down to join him. "Honestly, Link, you're already energetic enough. If you break your legs and get stuck in bed I don't want to imagine what you'd come up with to entertain yourself." She said with a shake of her head before she paused. "Speaking of bed… you didn't just get up, did you?" She asked with a childish glare and Link locked up before he looked to the side with a nervous chuckle. "Link… did you stay up late practicing again?" Saria demanded as she leaned in closer and the blonde scratched his left cheek.

"M-maybe?" Link answered with another nervous chuckle.

"You silly…" Saria said with a shake of her head before she smiled brightly at him. "Well, you're awake now. Come on, there's something I want to show you!" She said excitedly as she reached out to take his hand.

"Wait!" Link said as he took a step back and Saria looked at him curiously. "Notice anything different?" He asked with a smile as Navi settled to hover over his left shoulder. "Navi, this is Saria." Link introduced as he looked at her and motioned to Saria with his left hand.

Saria's eyes went wide before they sparkled with joy as she looked between Navi and Link. "Oh, Link, you finally have a fairy partner!" She gleefully clapped her hands as she started to bounce on the balls of her feet excitedly. "I told you that you just had to be patient." She said with a laugh that Link joined in with.

"Navi, it's a pleasure to meet you." Saria said a few seconds later with a small bow. "I know Link will seem a handful at times, but I'm positive he'll be a good partner for you." She said as she straightened. Her green fairy let out an amused chime at the words but otherwise remained silent.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Saria." Navi said back politely. "If you'll excuse us, though, the Great Deku Tree needs to talk with Link about something." She went on with a hint of impatience in her tone.

Saria blinked in surprise at the words before turning her attention to Link. "Then you'd better hurry! The Great Deku Tree is our father; it would be rude to keep him waiting!" She exclaimed and Link nodded his head in agreement. "When you're finished, come meet me at our usual spot. I'll have a surprise for you!" She smiled cheerfully before she turned around and ran off.

"A handful at times… oh I wish he had only been that." Navi muttered good-naturedly as everyone watched Link and Navi run through the village.

"Indeed." Erza agreed with a long-suffering sigh, making the blue fairy look over at her.

Link's ears twitched as Saria, Malon, Zelda, and Lucy giggled while Gray, Talon, Ingo, Darunia, and Happy laughed at their words.

Natsu, though, was looking at Saria in surprise and disbelief. She's… she's just like… Before anything else could be said, another voice cut in.

"Hey, fairy-less wonder! What's the hurry?" Mido called out as he strutted up to Link with a smirk, the Kokiri Sword looped over his right shoulder with his orange fairy hovering over his left, and the blonde immediately froze. "Your weekly loss isn't until tomorrow. No need to panic yet." He added with a laugh and Link glared over at him angrily.

Link suddenly grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest proudly, getting a look of curiosity from Mido. "I see you're too full of yourself to notice." He said, getting a blink and then a glare from the Kokiri Boss. "Meet Navi." Link gestured to the blue fairy and Mido's eyes went wide as he regarded her. "I hope you're ready for tomorrow, but first… the Great Deku Tree needs my help with something." He said smugly as his grin became a small smirk.

Mido's surprise turned to shock at Link's words before his face tightened in anger. "How… how is it a nobody like you are their favorites? How is it that the great Mido is just being shunted to the side as if I'm no one?" He muttered to himself as he stormed past Link in a huff, who blinked in surprise at the words.

Link started to turn and open his mouth before an impatient chime form Navi got his attention. "There's no time for that, we need to hurry." Navi said firmly, and after a few seconds Link nodded his head before he started to take off again.

Neither Link nor Navi noticed as Mido suddenly stopped and looked back. There was still anger and disgruntlement in his eyes, but there was also concern as he watched the youngest Kokiri take off. "And just what help can you offer with that twig?" He suddenly called out as he fully turned around with a smirk back on his face. Link froze at the taunt before he looked down and clenched his hands into fists. "I'd say if anyone would be able to help the Great Deku Tree, it should be someone strong enough to wield the Kokiri Sword." Mido continued as he walked towards the shaking Link, unlooping the sheathed blade and holding it in his left hand.

"I'll-!" Link started to yell as he turned around before he froze in surprise.

"Since I wasn't called, though, I guess I'll have to trade you this for your Deku Sword. Just to make sure the Great Deku Tree gets the help he needs." Mido said and Link's eyes went wide in shock. "Don't get me wrong, this is only to help the Great Deku Tree. You'll have to promise to swap back after that." He went on before he chuckled mockingly. "You still have to beat me in order to actually earn it."

Link's eyes narrowed at the words before he nodded his head and took off the Deku Shield to grab his Deku Sword. "I promise, but I'll be getting it again tomorrow." He held out his wooden sword as he said this and the two exchanged their weapons with a final sound of disbelief from Mido.

"Hurry it up. You shouldn't keep the Great Deku Tree waiting." Mido ordered and though Link's ears flicked in annoyance at the command he quickly turned around to take off again.

"Wow, you're a real jerk." Happy remarked to Mido, a comment that got several sounds of agreement.

Mido gave a soft exhalation at the comment. "I could care less what those not of the Kokiri think, even if they're not some adult." He said as he looked down at the floor intently. Despite his rebuttal, his eyes showed pain and shame. If they thought that was him being a jerk then what was to come would garner even more of a reaction.

"Hey, the boss didn't have to give Link the Kokiri Sword, you know!" Reso retorted in defense of Mido.

"He's not always the nicest, but don't say anything bad about the boss!" Soso agreed as he and his brother glared at Happy.

Mido's ears flicked in mild embarrassment at the backhanded support he received from those two but otherwise remained silent.

"It's true." Saria said and that had everyone looking at her. "Mido may be a jerk at times," she stopped with a look at the now wincing Mido, "but as you saw he's always looking out for the Kokiri." She said but then stopped as they saw the image swirl before focusing again.

Link came out from the trees into a large clearing which in the middle stood a massive tree that dwarfed any other type known. Its green foliage spread over almost the entirety of the clearing, allowing dappled sunlight to sprinkle down to the ground, and its dark brown bark looked thicker than most armors. It also had large dark-green eyebrows and a mustache, with closed eyes that still gave the feeling of seeing everything around it. This was the Great Deku Tree, ancient guardian of the Lost Woods.

"I'm here, Great Deku Tree!" Link called out as he stopped under the mighty tree's foliage.

"Aahh… it is good that thou hath come." The Great Deku Tree's voice echoed out, not from his non-moving mouth but from all around the clearing, his tone solemn and commanding. "Navi, I thanketh thee for bringing young Link with such haste." He went on and Navi let out a confirming chime as she bobbed up and down twice. "Young Link, there is something I must ask of thee, but first… dost thou recall the tale of Hyrule's creation?" He asked, his voice still holding some solemnity but now warm affection.

Link nodded his head quickly in confirmation. "Of course! Saria still tells it almost every night!" He said with his smile in place.

"That is good to hear." The Great Deku Tree said as his foliage rustled despite the fact that no breeze passed through. "Now then, what I shall ask of thee shall be dangerous." He said, his voice once more becoming solemn, and Link blinked in surprise before he took an eager step forward. "Should thou succeed, what shall come will not be what thee may expect." He paused for a moment before his foliage rustled again. "My child… I am dying."

Link's smile disappeared in the blink of an eye as his eyes went wide in shock while Navi chimed in rapid succession. "W-what?" He asked breathlessly, obviously hoping he had heard wrong.

"I hath been cursed, a curse which even now eats away at my life force. It is tied to a being inside of me, a monstrous creature called Gohma." The Great Deku Tree informed Link. He paused at the look on the young blonde's face as Navi gave a chime of recognition at the name. "Thou art the only one I may depend on. Tell me, Link… dost thou have the courage to face this monster and end the curse?" He asked solemnly and then waited for Link's response.

Link was quiet for a while before he swallowed and nodded his head. "If… If I can save you then I have to try." He said firmly as determination flashed in his eyes.

"Then we have to try." Navi said just as firmly as she flew a foot in front of Link while facing towards him. "I'm your partner, so don't think I'm letting you do this alone." She said to the surprise on his face, which quickly got a smile and nod from him.

"I knew I could count on thee." The Great Deku Tree said warmly before what could be assumed to be his mouth slowly opened to form a large doorway. "Remember thine courage, for thou shalt need it for what is to come." He warned when his mouth finished moving.

Link swallowed at his words before he closed his eyes and took a breath. "I'll save you, Great Deku Tree." He swore as he reopened his eyes before he started the run down to the entryway into the guardian.

Rauru shifted his arms around and the image faded into a swirling vortex of colors. "I shall move forward to the battle with Gohma." He informed everyone, though they hardly noticed as they looked at Link in surprise at the determination he had shown then. Before anything could be said the colors merged again to show Link facing down a large creature in a dark and massive, sprawling wooden chamber with several pillars set around it at random intervals. The grotesque monstrosity was blood-red with a few patches of green bioluminescence on its limbs. It had two legs, a prehensile tail that it rested on like another leg, and two large claws coming up from its shoulders. Its large, singular eye glowed yellow with a green iris and a red, cross-shaped pupil.

"That has got to be the ugliest thing I've ever seen." Aveil said in disgust, a reaction shared by her fellow Gerudo, the Hylians, and the Fairy Tail Mages. The Kokiri were too busy staring at it in abject hatred to even hear what had been said.

"Link, Gohma's carapace is even harder than a Skulltula's! We need to find a weak spot!" Navi called out as a slash from Link was deflected. The blonde nodded as he threw himself into a series of acrobatics to avoid the thrashing of Gohma's legs as it balanced on its tail. Down, left, backflip, he was always just barely one move ahead of the limbs. Sweat beaded on his forehead as his eyes showed a mixture of fear and determination.

When he was able to get far enough away, for Gohma remained in its spot and watched him intently, Link sheathed the Kokiri Sword and placed the Deku Shield on his back. He then quickly reached into his pouch and pulled out a slingshot in addition to a small handful of seeds. "Navi, see if anything sticks!" Link called out as he fired off a barrage of seeds in rapid succession, his aim adjusting with each shot to hit a different part of the monster.

"SSKKKKRRRAAAAA!" Gohma's screeching roar echoed through the chamber as it charged forward on its legs, the seeds pinging off it with no effect.

Link started to run before he paused and looked back at the incoming monster uncertainly and gulped. "Link, what are you doing!? Run!" Navi demanded angrily into his ear. The blonde quickly ran at her words, but not in the direction Navi had obviously intended.

Link charged in at Gohma, his blue eyes hardening as he prepared the remainder of his seeds. When he was ten feet away, he brought the slingshot up and unleashed them all in a spread shot that hit random parts on the front of the monster. Most pinged off but one hit the bottom of its eye and went in a few inches.

"SSSKKKKRRRAAAA!" Gohma roared in agony as its eyelid closed up protectively. Link's eyes brightened and a smile came to him as he took hope in that sign.

"Look out!" Navi cried out and Link looked over in time to catch a flailing leg in the chest, an impact that had him coughing up blood.

"Aaahhh!" Link yelled as he went flying before it ended with a grunt as he slammed into a wooden pillar. More blood dribbled from his mouth as he hit the ground with a groan of pain, the slingshot dropping from his grasp.

"Link!" Navi called out in alarm as she flew over the groaning blonde.

Gohma started to blink rapidly, its yellow eye now red in rage and pain, as it worked to remove the seed from its eye.

"Come on, get back up!" Natsu yelled at the weakly moving Link as Gohma gave another roar. He got ready to yell more encouragement before stopping as Lucy placed a hand on his shoulder. The Dragon Slayer looked over, his eyes intense as Goron Link gave a groaning roar of support, to see Lucy still looking at the scene. However, she offered a shake of her head to remind Natsu that anything he yelled wouldn't change what had already happened. "Tch!" Natsu grunted in annoyance and a little bit of embarrassment in getting so caught up in the action, but seeing Link having so much trouble had taken him by surprise. Not that he was the only one caught up in the struggle as everyone watched on intently.

"Link, you need to get up!" Navi demanded and got another groan of pain from her partner. "If you don't get up you'll die! If that happens, Gohma will be able to keep eating away at the Great Deku Tree!" She pleaded and Link's groan immediately cut off as his body locked up at the reminder.

"You…" Link got out as he slowly forced himself to his knees, his eyes closed from the strain.

Gohma let out a screech of glee as it finally got the seed out of its eye. Its red eye looked around quickly before locking in on the struggling Kokiri.

"You get out…" Link said as he shakily got to his feet and reached back for the Kokiri Sword.

"SSSKKRRRAAAA!" Gohma roared as it charged at the child.

"You get out of my father!" Link yelled and his eyes snapped open, a fierce fire burning in them as he unsheathed the Kokiri Sword to rush in to meet the monstrous bug.

"Link, the eye is its weak spot but you need to make an opening! Do you have something to surprise it?" Navi asked as she flew in next to him.

Link nodded his head, his face tight, as he reached into his pouch with his right hand before dropping to his back when Gohma dropped to its tail and sent its left arm out in a wide sweep. The Kokiri tucked his legs in and winced in pain as he slid on his shielded back under the limb. He reached the tail and kicked out against it, sending him into a sliding spin to the right, as he pulled out a brown nut that was as big as his palm.

Link jerked forward when he cleared Gohma's underside and popped up in the air slightly from the momentum. He quickly extended his legs to land on his feet and spun, coughing up more blood from the exertion, with the Kokiri Sword held out before him and his right hand held at the ready. "Come on then!" He yelled at Gohma angrily as the bug turned to face him, blood dripping from his mouth and his breathing labored.

"Link, what are you planning?" Navi demanded worriedly as she took in his current state.

"I'm going to try something." Link replied tightly as Gohma brought both arms up then down in order to crush him.

Erza's eyes went wide at the words before she let out a restrained sigh of anticipated vexation. She didn't know what that nut in his hand would do, but she had an idea of what was about to happen. Once more Navi found herself looking at the redhead curiously. If she didn't know better she would swear that she had found someone who might have suffered as much as she had from Link's recklessness.

"Hup!" Link yelled as he closed his eyes and threw the Deku Nut down before him. A brilliant flash lit up the dark chamber, its intense light making Gohma freeze in shock and pain. Link quickly took advantage to jump up on its left leg. "HYYAAAAA!" He roared as he jumped from the leg into a two-handed thrust that punctured Gohma's eye, disappearing into its depths as it exploded in a mixture of pus and blood.

"SSKKKRRRRAAAAAAAAAAA!" Gohma screeched in agony as it flailed around before collapsing to the ground with a final shudder.

Link was ejected from the socket, covered in blood and pus, and rolled for several feet before finally coming to a stop on his stomach. "Link!" Navi called out as he coughed out the gory mess, his trembling hand clenching the hilt of the Kokiri Sword. "Are you okay?" She asked as he was finally able to take in gasping breaths of air and got a nod from him. "You reckless idiot!" She yelled as she buzzed around him angrily. "How could you do something so stupid!?" She demanded, her blue light increasing in intensity with her agitated state.

"It… it worked…" Link slowly got out before he chuckled. "It… it actually worked." He said before he rolled to collapse on his back. "We did it!" He laughed victoriously, his cheer making Navi go still. "Navi, we did it!" He declared before he sat up with a wince.

The Chamber of Sages erupted with cheers at young Link's words. They barely noticed as a green light appeared in the chamber while everyone turned to Link to congratulate him. However, everyone froze when they saw Mido, Reso, and Soso looking at the scene in disbelief.

"Is… is that real?" Mido demanded of Link, who closed his eyes and looked down. "How is that real!?" He demanded angrily, desperately, as the image disappeared in a swirl of colors and Link's ears drooped low.

"Just watch, Mido." Navi said quietly as Link's left hand tightened into a fist, the leather from his glove creaking from the strain.

"What's wrong?" Darunia demanded as his eyes narrowed angrily, a question that was on the mind of all the non-Kokiri to the exclusion of Rauru. "Brother just-"

"Stop talking." Navi demanded as a new image appeared.

The Great Deku Tree stood alone in his clearing when a mass of swirling green orbs appeared before him. The orbs came together in a flash of light, and when the light cleared there stood a disoriented but now clean and healthy-looking Link.

After a few seconds of blinking and head shaking, Link looked up at the Great Deku Tree and offered a victorious smile. "Great Deku Tree, we did it!" He reported and Navi gave a happy chime of agreement.

"Yes, I can feel the curse hath lifted. Well done." The Great Deku Tree said warmly and Link's smile increased. "Now then, there is more I must tell thee. I wish that I –hnnnnng!" The mighty tree suddenly groaned and Link froze in surprise at the sound, Navi issuing a sharp chime. "Forgive me… I can… hardly hold back the pain anymore." He apologized and Link's smile faded at the words. "My time is almost at an end, soon my life shall end."

"W-what?" Link asked in disbelief as his eyes widened in shock.

"Before I perish, there is something I must tell thee." The Great Deku Tree tried to go on but Link sharply shook his head.

"What do you mean your life is ending!?" Link demanded desperately before freezing as another groan of pain shook the mighty tree. "You're supposed to be safe now!" He yelled as tears formed in his eyes from the obvious agony of the guardian.

"That… was never possible, Link." The Great Deku Tree admitted solemnly, an admission that brought Link to his knees in open-mouthed disbelief. "The curse had progressed too far, too much of my life had been stolen, for any other outcome." He said and Link slumped forward to his hands as his tears streamed down. "I knew of this before I called Navi to summon thee here."

"But… but I defeated Gohma!" Link cried out suddenly as he looked back up at the Great Deku Tree as Navi floated at his side in stunned silence. "I ended the curse! I saved you!" He pleaded but received no response this time. "Please…" He sobbed as he looked back down. "You can't die…" He begged desperately as he closed his eyes.

"Child… I pray thee can forgive me. I had thought I could end this curse myself. I prayed… I prayed that the time of thine destiny was not upon us." Link stilled at the words before he slowly looked up in confusion. "Link, a time of great darkness is descending upon all of Hyrule. Even now it gathers in strength, a strength that affects those sensitive to it." The Great Deku paused for a moment as another shudder rippled its massive form and caused dozens of leaves to fall. "Thou must have sensed it, a darkness that would reach even into thine dreams."

Link swallowed at the words before he looked down again. "I… I thought it was just a bad dream I kept having." He said in quiet disbelief before he gulped.

"Dost thou remember the story of creation?" The Great Deku Tree asked and Link blinked at the repeated question before he looked up in tearful confusion. "The end… the Triforce is real, child… and a dark man with hair the color of fire seeks its power." He said and raw terror flashed in the young blonde's eyes before he looked down, his breathing heavy. "It is he who cursed me… when I refused to grant him what he needed to obtain it." He went on, so far in his pain that he missed the look in Link's eyes before he was able to regain his focus. "Thine destiny… is to save Hyrule… I can feel-"

"NO!" Link screamed in denial as he reached up to cover his ears. "I can't! How can I?" He demanded desperately as Navi turned to look at him in surprise. "I can't go out and… I can't… I can't even…" He trailed off as his hands slowly came down in hopeless confusion.

"Thou… thou hast talked about seeing the outside world." The Great Deku Tree tried to say positively to the lost-looking Kokiri.

"Wait…" Link started slowly as he looked back up, hope flashing in his eyes. "Does… does that mean if I stay here you'll get better?" He asked but received no reply for several seconds. "What… what if I promise to never even think about leaving?" He tried bargaining but again received no reply and a new wave of tears flowed down. "What if I promise to never fight with Mido again?" He sobbed as he slumped down, his forehead touching the ground. "How… how can I save so many… if I cannot even… save you?" He whispered brokenly as his tears fell among the grass.

Goron Link sobbed quietly in Darunia's arms, for the massive Goron had already picked up his son in his strong arms with tears in his own eyes. Nor were those the only eyes wet, for only Rauru and Impa seemed able to watch impassively. Gray's eyes were also dry, but they were narrowed in pain at the scene before him as he remembered his own pleas to Ur as she prepared to sacrifice herself to seal Deliora. Link's face was the only other one free of tears, but his narrowed, pain-filled eyes shone wetly as he swallowed thickly.

Erza looked at Link through tear-filled eyes and her hands over her mouth, recalling his broken pleas as she planned to sacrifice herself despite everything he had done to save her. I… I put him through this again? She realized as pain lanced through her heart.

Pain echoed in Zelda's eyes as she stared at Link with tears flowing down her face. Even… even before I sent him out… he had experienced such devastation? She thought, her pain at Link's fate increasing with the unfair destiny set before him.

Tears flowed freely down Natsu's face as he found himself imagining finding Igneel in such a state. The obvious pain flowing from the young blonde also reminded him of the pain he felt from Lisanna's death, a feeling also felt by Happy as tears flowed just as easily from the feline's eyes.

Lucy and Malon cried openly at what was taking place, their sobs echoing through the Chamber, while the Kokiri could only look at Link in open-mouthed horror.

"Link, please shed no tears for me." The Great Deku Tree finally said as the shaking of his foliage increased in intensity momentarily. "I hath lived across millennia, but in the end my life was not meant to be eternal. Forgive my deception, I beg of thee, but… but I had to… be sure you could survive what is to come." He forced out with another fit of shaking. "Link, this dark man… cannot be allowed… to gain the Triforce… or else all will be… cast in an everlasting darkness." Every word was obviously becoming more of a struggle for the once mighty guardian, but he fought against the pain to try and reach the boy before him.

Link was silent for several more moments, his sobs fading to sniffles, before he finally brought one arm up to rub at his eyes. "How?" He asked in a soft, controlled voice.

"Thou… must follow the setting sun… until thou… depart the Lost Woods. From there… keep following… till thou finds… a wall of stone and… a bridge that raises. Find… the princess… of… destiny. Grant her… thine… courage." The Great Deku Tree's words came slower as the shaking of his foliage increased.

Link rose to his feet and looked up at the Great Deku Tree, eyes wet with restrained tears. "I won't fail in this, Great Deku Tree." He swore in that same tone.

"Nor… shall you be alone… will he, Navi?" The Great Deku Tree asked and Link's eyes widened slightly as he looked to his left.

"Of course not." Navi confirmed firmly in a soft voice. "We're partners, so where he goes so will I." She continued and got a weak, grateful smile from the blonde.

"One last thing… thou must… take this… the Kokiri Emerald…" The dying tree said and Link's eyes went wide in shock as a glint of green light shone from his branches. "A key… that must… stay safe… A key… that I refused… to grant… to the dark…" He said as a green, shining stone set in a golden piece of the same design of the symbol on the Deku Shield floated down from the branches and to Link's outstretched hands. "Go… swiftly… I pray… thee…" He forced out once the Emerald was safely in Link's hands.

Link looked down at the treasure of the Kokiri, the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, for several seconds before he carefully put it in his pouch. When he finished, he silently looked up at the Great Deku Tree and waited. "What… are thou…" The Great Deku Tree started to ask before trailing off in realization. "I… thank… thee… Link…" He got out, grateful that his last moments of life would not be spent alone.

With a final groan, the rich brown wooden bark slowly faded into dull grey. The change happened everywhere equally, even his foliage faded as the last spark of life left the ancient being. Through it all, Link was silent as he watched his father pass, the only comfort he had been able to bring to the Great Deku Tree.

"A young boy faced with the evils of the world stood up to protect those important to him." Gray suddenly spoke after a few minutes of silence had elapsed. "He found that his strength wasn't enough and was beat down." He went on before he grit his teeth angrily.

The Fairy Tail Mages all looked at him sharply before looking at Link with wide eyes as they recalled his words about Jellal. Everyone else looked at him in tearful confusion, even Rauru and Impa looked at him in mild curiosity at the words.

Link slowly turned around to face Gray, the blonde's eyes still wet from what he had just relived.

"This is when you changed." Gray continued after he took a breath as he and now everyone compared the carefree child to the soft-spoken one, the one that most of them knew. His eyes tightened with guilt as he recalled how often he had been frustrated with Link's tight-lipped ways over the years, never once thinking there might be a reason. Erza's eyes, as well as Lucy, Natsu, and Happy, went wide with horrified realization with what was coming next. "This is when you broke." He finished roughly and at that everyone from Hyrule looked at Link sharply.

Link was silent for several moments before he closed his eyes and sighed. The first time. He thought but did not say as he nodded his head in confirmation.

"Link…" Saria said softly through her tears, to which the blonde looked over at her. "Thank you for keeping our father company in his final moments." She said with a sad smile that Link returned.

"I'm sorry, Link." Mido said as he looked down at the floor through his tears. "I… I wasn't-"

"What's going on!?" Mido's voice suddenly called out from behind the stationary Link. Seconds later thirteen orange-haired boys and girls burst from the tree line twenty feet behind Link. As one they froze in horror as they looked at the petrified remains of the Great Deku Tree, most of them immediately dropping to their knees at the sight before bursting into tears.

Mido's breathing deepened as he fought to stay strong before he noticed the motionless Link while some of the Kokiri tried to comfort the others even as they also cried. "What happened!? You were supposed to help him!" He shouted as he ran up to grab Link's right shoulder.

The blonde spun at the touch and shoved Mido back hard, sending the other boy to the ground with a grunt. Both froze as they looked at each other and Mido took note of the horror and guilt in Link's eyes. "What… what did you do?" Mido asked softly and Link started to open his mouth before he froze and swallowed. "Did you do this?" Mido demanded angrily as tears formed in his eyes.

Link's body shook at the accusation before he turned and ran into the trees, a surprised Navi quickly catching up with him. "You… you did this!?" Mido yelled as Link disappeared into the trees. "This is your fault, Link! Do you hear me!?" He demanded as he rolled to his hands and knees before taking a deep breath. "THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Mido screamed before sobs overtook him, overwhelmed by his grief and anger.

Mido remained silent as he waited for the reaction to his harsh accusation, but no one could find the heart to yell at him. Not after the obvious pain he and everyone else had been in, not after his apology, and especially not after Link shot them all a warning look to prevent any actions. "It's not like you to apologize twice." Link said softly and Mido blinked in surprise before he offered a weak chuckle.

"That's… that's right, boss." Reso said weakly as his tears flowed freely. "But Link… like Saria said, thank you." He said and got a nod from Link in reply.

Everyone stopped as the image shifted again from Link running through the trees to him running across a wooden bridge over a fifty-foot deep ravine, obviously still somewhere in the Lost Woods. From behind and unknown to the blonde, a green-haired figure arrived at the bridge shortly after he started to cross it.

"You're leaving?" Saria asked as she reached the bridge and Link immediately froze as shock overtook him. "With… without even saying goodbye?" She asked sadly and Link slowly looked down at his feet.

Saria knew his lack of response was his answer as he trembled with repressed emotion. She looked at him sadly for several seconds, obviously trying to think of something, before her eyes widened slightly. The greenette closed her eyes and then took a breath before she reopened them and walked forward with a small smile on her face.

"Hey, I said I had something to show you earlier, remember?" Saria asked lightly and Link blinked in confusion before slowly turning to look at her. "It's a gift for how well you've been doing in your lessons." She said as she reached into her pouch and slowly took out a light brown ocarina. "It's your own Fairy Ocarina." She offered the ocarina to Link, who stared at it with wide eyes for several seconds. "Go on, take it." She insisted and finally Link slowly reached out to take it from her. "You know, there's something magical about music. When you're playing it's like nothing else matters." She said with a smile but got no reaction. "Hey, how about we play a song?" Saria asked as she pulled out her own Fairy Ocarina and finally Link swallowed in response before he looked at her uncertainly. "Come on, you get to pick." She insisted gently but firmly.

Link looked back down at the ocarina for several seconds before he eventually closed his eyes and brought the instrument to his mouth. As he took a breath, Saria did the same as she brought hers to her mouth as well.

Du du duu, du du duu, du du du du duu du du du du duu, du du du

Saria quickly picked up with the tune, a song she had been teaching Link for a while now, a favorite among the Kokiri when it was time to celebrate or be cheered up. They played for a few minutes before Link finally trailed off, something that took Saria a few moments to realize. She looked up at Link as he slowly brought the ocarina down, new tears streaming down his face.

"Thank you." Link said softly as he continued to look down at his new Fairy Ocarina.

Saria's eyes tightened at his grief before she nodded her head with a forced smile. "Whenever you play, I hope you'll think of me and everyone else." She said as tears formed in her eyes.

Link nodded as he carefully put the ocarina away and then wiped his eyes on his right sleeve. When Saria moved forward to offer a hug, though, Link immediately took a step back in response, something that made her freeze in surprise. The blonde looked back up as he took another hesitant step back, and Saria finally understood why he had shied away.

Fear and uncertainty showed clearly in Link's eyes, emotions equaled only by his determination to leave. It was a tenuous balance, and anything might shift it so that his fear and uncertainty would paralyze him. "I'll look out for him." Navi promised with a soft chime and Saria's eyes closed in resignation.

"Farewell." Link said softly as he took another step back.

Saria's eyes opened back up and she offered a small smile to him. "Farewell." She said and Link quickly turned away at that to run off.

Rauru brought his arms down and the image disappeared as the colors first swirled before returning to a constant aurora around the platform. Everyone was silent as they continued to look at where the images had been, all trying to process the tragedy that had played out before them.

Erza looked at Link in stunned silence. I… I thought I understood. She thought as she recalled Link offering her the Fairy Ocarina to learn and then as a sign he would return when leaving to train with Durga. I thought I knew what it meant to him. She went on before she swallowed thickly, for now she fully understood his sacrifice in leaving it behind. Something he had seemingly done so easily in order to quell her own fears.

"Now you can see why Natsu's words got me so angry." Navi said after a couple of minutes of silence. "To have that called a "fun adventure"…" She trailed off as angry chimes issued from her again. "This is the story of a boy chosen by destiny to stop a great darkness… something that would take him beyond all physical and mental limits." She said when she calmed down and then turned to face everyone. "Gray said it perfectly, that moment broke Link but he kept moving forward. The Great Deku Tree said he was needed, and though I didn't know it at the time I learned that at his core Link cannot stand by when he might bring aid to others." Navi stopped as she took in the wide-eyed looks she as well as Link received. "Are you all sure you wish to continue to watch this?" She asked firmly and the non-Sages of Hyrule looked at each other with some uncertainty.

"Yes." Erza answered firmly as she finished wiping away her tears, quickly getting everyone's attention. "Link helped me overcome and then finally face my own darkness, even though I shamefully tried to push him and everyone away at the critical time. My only regret in this is that I was unable to learn the depth of his pain sooner due to my weakness." She said with eyes filled with determination. Link gave her a small smile at that, a smile she quickly returned.

"I've been wondering what makes this guy tick for as long as I've known him." Gray said with a tired sigh as his right hand ran through his hair. "Besides, he also made sure I could face my own darkness, even standing up to Erza in order to do so." He said with a small smirk and got an ear flick from Link as Erza glanced to the side in remembered embarrassment of her actions at Galuna Island.

"My father paid a rival Mage's Guild to decimate Fairy Tail and kidnap me to take me back home." Lucy said softly and everyone looked at her in surprise. "Even with our Guild House demolished and Erza badly hurt, the only thing Link showed was outrage when my surrender was demanded. We had only been on a couple of jobs together, but he refused to let something like that happen."

"We're not turning away just because of a sad past." Natsu put in firmly as he punched his right fist into his left palm. "He's our nakama, and we'll be here through all of it." He declared as his onyx eyes narrowed in determination and Happy nodded with tearful eyes in agreement.

Link looked up at Navi for a few seconds, who let out an approving chime. "I see you've been in good hands after all." She remarked and got an agreeing grin from him.

Zelda looked at them in surprise for several seconds before a smile came to her. "I believe I'm coming to like this word from Fiore." She said warmly before she looked to everyone else and saw them firming their own resolve. "Link, do you wish to continue?" She asked softly of the Hero, who now had dry eyes as he regarded everyone. After a few moments he turned and offered her a respectful nod to show he was ready. "I have one question before that… it was mentioned that this darkness also intruded upon your own dreams." She said and Link paused before he slowly nodded his head. "Tell me, what was this dream?" She asked and Link swallowed before he looked down as even Navi looked at him curiously, never before making that connection.

"It… starts on a dark night." Link started off slowly. He was still able to recall that dream with vivid clarity for it was a dream that had become a waking nightmare. "I didn't know it at the time, but I'm in front of the Hyrule Castle Town walls with the bridge down. Suddenly a white horse rushes from further in and across the bridge, carrying a woman with grey hair holding a girl in a white dress in her arms." Zelda and even Impa looked at Link in surprise at his words as Navi let out a sharp chime. "As I watched them ride away, I suddenly felt an evil presence behind me. When I turned to look, I found a dark-skinned man with golden eyes and red hair in black armor on a black horse." Link paused and swallowed as now everyone from Hyrule, with the exception of the Kokiri, was looking at him in wide-eyed shock. "He said nothing, simply held up a hand charging with energy before unleashing it at me."

"You…" Zelda slowly trailed off in shock before she closed her eyes and took a breath. "Rauru, please continue." She said as she reopened her eyes and the Sage of Light nodded his head before he turned and raised his arms back up.

"What?" Natsu asked as he looked between her, Impa, Link, and Navi in confusion, a confusion echoed by Erza, Lucy, Gray, and Happy.

"You'll… you'll see." Navi replied as the aurora swirled together once more.

Someone once commented that they think Link has PTSD. I think that his first "success" alone would give most people PTSD, let alone what he else he had to go through. So yeah, there are going to be fun moments but Ocarina of Time's story is kind of dark in my opinion. As I said before, this will cover chosen events with brief explanations for some things from Navi.

Let me know if the transitions were too jarring between past and reactions, trying to find a good balance between them. Didn't forget about everyone showing up at Lon Lon Ranch at the same time, explanation for that will come out later.

On another note, I'm thinking of doing something that's been called out by multiple people before. I might do a sort of prequel for Link: Mage of Fairy Tail that actually goes more in-depth with Link growing up in Fairy Tail after his arrival. It would include most of the Into the Pasts so far, but as part of actual chapters that will give more context and (hopefully) be better written as well as other moments. It would be a separate story, really don't want to try and redo chapters from the beginning as I believe that would be more time-consuming rather than just going in with a fresh start, and would leave off with Link's job prior to him walking mildly sleep-deprived in the first chapter. Would anyone be interested in that or no?

Got some positive results, so I'll go ahead with trying the art contest out. I will be posting the rules after this arc is complete.

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.

Till next time.