The pain. The regret. For years the hero felt this. He felt this stinging pain in his heart, that he could not ignore. So painful it was, it kept him from resting in peace. For years he wondered this land, even after his passing. He didn't know what he was going to accomplish. Didn't know where his journey would take him or how long he would be on it. But he wandered and wandered alone.

Then one day he came across that boy. He had the same name as him. He was dressed in the same proud green. At first the hero thought it had to be a coincidence. But still he kept watch over him. He saw his power, that he showed fighting monsters. His wisdom in solving dungeon puzzles. And his courage in every trail he faced.

The hero had no doubt that this Link had the markings of a true hero. Could this be his chance? Would he finally be able to do what he couldn't before?

Could he pass something down to the future?

He decided to confront the boy. At first, he could tell he was raw in ever sense of the word. Currently lacking but filled to the brim with potential. And so, he took him in as his student. One by one he taught him his skills. The ones he worked hard to perfect himself. And soon enough, this Link had not only learned, but mastered all of them.

As soon as he saw him master the great spin and use it on him…that blow tore through it all. The regret. The same. Utterly destroyed by the Master Sword. The very blade he once held. The weight that pushed down on him, was finally gone.

But he could not yet rest. There was one more thing bothering him now. He could not believe it. The threat he though he vanquished had returned. Ganondorf lived. A new regret formed in him. The regret that he didn't see him put to death personally. And now he was back to haunt the land he fought so hard to protect.

As a gold wolf he watched. He watched Link's final confrontation with Ganondorf. Was it a coincidence or fate that Link finished the hero's sworn enemy with not only the sword he once wielded against him, but with the first skill he taught Link? The ending blow. And this Zelda that aided him…She was a strong and wise as the one he knew. As for Minda…something about seeing her working alongside Link remind him of Navi.

At last satisfied he turned to leave, hoping not to be seen. But he did not notice that Link caught glimpse of him in the corner of his eye.

"Princess Zelda…Minda…please wait here. I have something I need to do."

He hurried of in the direction his teacher left in. It surprisingly didn't take long for him to catch up. "Wait! Please, wait!"

The wolf looked behind him and was surprised to see Link catch up. It took a moment for him to catch his breath. "You're…still here…I thought you said your regrets were gone."

In a bright flash, Link found himself getting off the ground, in the same realm of light he was trained in. He saw his mentor, clad in armor with a glowing red eye. His back still turned to him.

"They were. But in their place took…concerns."

"You mean Ganondorf."

"Yes. Years ago, I thought Ganondorf was over and done with…how naïve of me. And because of that, you and all of Hyrule were drawn into conflict."

Link shook his head. "You shouldn't blame yourself. You've suffered enough."

The hero went silent.

"And so, have they."

He then turned his head to look at Link. "They?"

"On this path of a hero…I've been to many places. I met so many people…you must have to, being a hero yourself."

The hero then saw faces flash in his mind. Faces of the many he met.

"Think about it. They must all be there on the other side. They must miss you…their hero. Don't you think it's time you met up with them again?"

The hero was again silent. He thought back to all he met. All he cared for. "…You're…right…I cannot believe it took me all this time to realise that…for so long I've worried about easing my own pain…I nearly forgot about them…"

"Then don't make them wait any longer. I know you said the path of the sword was a lonely one…but is that true for the path of a hero?"

The hero felt his body get lighter. He began to glow. He could tell. He was passing on. "Thank you…had it not been for you, I'd wander this land as a cursed soul for the rest of time."

Link smiled. "No. It is I who should thank you. I'm honored to be the successor of a true hero."

The hero turned around. "And I am proud to have you as my successor. Take care of Hyrule. The land I-no. My friends and I treasured. I leave it in your capable hands. Farwell."

With that, he disappeared. And soon Link was sent back.

"Farewell…hero of Hyrule. Rest in peace."

"Link…Link…"

The hero awoke to the sound of his name. He was lying on his back. Looking at the sky.

"Huh?"

He sat up and looked in front of him. "Th-this is-!"

It looked just Hyrule Field. The field he was familiar with so many years ago.

It then registered to Link that something was odd with his voice. Then he looked in front of him and recognized the brown boots on his feet. The green tunic he wore. He looked at himself. Felt his face. He was flesh again, rather than bone. And he was…young. As young as he was when he was a child before his adventures started. His missing eye was back as well.

"Link!"

A blue light flew in front of him.

"Navi?!"

"Sheesh! You took so long!" The fairy laughed. "Some of us though we'd never see you again!"

"Us?"

"Link."

A familiar voice filled his ears. He looked behind him to see her. "S…Saria…?"

"Hey, Link." the Kokiri smiled gently.

The boy was at a loss for words at first. But then he sprang to his feet and ran over to Saria, before leaping into her, tackling her to the ground in his embrace.

"Ow. So, this is what that feels like." The girl laughed. Both of their fairies flew overhead.

Once they were on their knees, Link, began to cry as his embrace tightened. "It really is you…"

Saria's eyes watered up and she hugged him and rubbed his back. "Welcome back Link. We all waited for you."

"We?"

Link then looked up. Behind Saria everyone was there. Mido, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, Malon, even Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael, plus many more. Every friend Link ever made in Hyrule and Termina was there. And they were all smiling at him.

A newfound happiness overwhelmed his heart. Even more tears of joy uncontrollably fell from his eyes and onto Saria's shoulder.

"We missed you Link." Saria said sweetly. "So, so much."

"I'm sorry." Link sniffled hugging tighter. "I'm so...so sorry."

"Don't apologize." Zelda then stepped out of the crowd. She was as young as she was when she and Link first met.

"Zelda?"

"Link…we don't know what this place is…but now seeing you here I think I understand why we are the way we were when we first meet you. It is because this is what we were like when we had no doubts or fears. We were just ordinary people living honest lives. These are our happiest memories."

"That's right Link." Navi said. "You were not burdened with being a hero. Just an ordinary boy, living in a peaceful village."

Saria pulled away from her hug to look at Link with a smile. "Link. You couldn't pass away because the life you lived as a hero still burdened you. But it's time you let all of that go. Our time is over. But now there are others who can continue what we started."

Link wiped the last of his tears away and nodded. "You're right. And I've seen it with my own eyes."

Then, Kafei stepped forward. "It is unfortunate that your actions as a hero were never realized...but we remember all the things you did to help us even when you didn't have a reason to and for whatever it may be worth, that makes you a hero to us."

"Thank you, Kafei. Hey, Zelda?"

"Yes, Link?"

"Will I stay like this forever? As a kid?"

"Most likely. None of us have aged since coming here."

"Then…does this make my a Kokiri or Hylian? What am I?"

"I can tell you exactly what you are." Saria said cupping his cheek. "You are Link. And that's all that maters to us."

Link smiled with a nod. "Then that's all I need."

"Good!" Saria smiled as they got on their feet. "Now come on! We've got so much to catch up on!"

"Agreed!" Darunia laughed as he approached. He lifted Link up to sit on top of him. Darmani lifted Saria to sit on him.

"Hey, Link! Saria and I have been practicing!" Skull kid said taking out his flute. "Let's play that song together!"

Link nodded as he and Saria took out their matching Ocarinas. Together the trio played Saria's song. Everyone smiled as the tune reached their ears. Darunia's sudden dancing nearly threw Link off him. Mikau out of instinct, stated playing his guitar. Zelda even took out her harp.

As the music played, together everyone smiled as they walked towards Kokiri forest. Link was exited just thinking of it. Going home. With his friends. And friends they would be forever.

"Finally…I'm free. Thank you…hero of Hyrule."

I gotta say, I feel sorry for Oot Link. So I decided to give him a happy ending here for what happened in Twilight Princess. Anyway, that's the end of this story. I hope you all enjoyed it. Maybe I'll go back to Ocarina of Time someday. But for now back to the X legacy collection-uh, I mean Fates of S.T.E.A.M.! Yeah I'm still working on that! But seriously, don't worry, next chapter should be out Sunday.