His part of the mission complete, Link hiked back to Hyrule Castle. But events unknown to Link had changed the situation entirely. Ganondorf had attacked Hyrule Castle, and it had surrendered after a short time. His target was one of the keys to the Sacred Realm, the hidden treasure of the Royal Family, the Ocarina of Time.

Impa, the Sheikah guardian of Princess Zelda, was bound by duty to take Princess Zelda out of Ganondorf's reach, for Zelda was the guardian of the Ocarina of Time. Impa took Zelda and rode away from the castle on her white stallion, but Ganondorf found out and rode after them in hot pursuit.

It was raining when Link finally reached the drawbridge of Hyrule Castle Town, but it was closed. Suddenly the drawbridge opened, and Link realized with horror that his nightmare was coming true. Impa, carrying Zelda, galloped out on a white horse. Zelda, seeing Link, made a fateful, desperate move: she threw him the Ocarina of Time. It landed behind him, in the moat. Before long, Ganondorf rode out on his black horse in pursuit, stopping for the young boy in his path.

Ganondorf did not see his quarry, but he recognized the kid he had seen through the window with Zelda before. He asked Link if he had seen where the white horse had gone. Link's only response was to back away slowly. Ganondorf rebuked him for trying to protect the Princess, but Link still would not talk; instead, he drew his small sword. Ganondorf sniggered ominously and, raising his left hand, blasted Link with a spell.

Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you are dealing with?! I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule the world!

As Ganondorf rode off in pursuit of the fleeing royalty, Link could only watch in silent anger.

As soon as Ganondorf was out of sight, Link retrieved the Ocarina of Time from the moat. As he resurfaced with the mystical instrument, Link received a telepathic message from Zelda, telling him that she had to leave and teaching him the Song of Time. Link now held all the keys to the Door of Time, and he knew that he had to complete their quest.

Link stood at the altar of the Temple of Time in Hyrule Castle Town. Putting the Ocarina of Time to his lips, he played the Song of Time. The three Spiritual Stones floated above his head before sliding into the three indentations on the altar. In response, the Door of Time rumbled open. Link entered through the door, and inside he found the Master Sword struck into a stone on a pedestal, the Pedestal of Time. Taking a deep breath, Link stepped up onto the stone and pulled out the Master Sword. As a shaft of blue light enveloped him, his vision faded into white.