THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
A long, long time ago the World was an age of Chaos.
In the midst of the chaos in a little kingdom in the land of Hyrule, a legend was being handed down from generation to generation, the legend of the "Triforce"; golden triangles possessing mystical powers.
One day, an evil army attacked this peaceful little kingdom and stole the Triforce of Power. This army was led by Ganon, the powerful Prince of Darkness who sought to plunge the World into fear and darkness under his rule. Fearing his wicked rule, Zelda, the princess of this kingdom, split up the Triforce of Wisdom into eight fragments and hid them throughout the realm to save the last remaining Triforce from the clutches of the evil Ganon. At the same time, she commanded her most trustworthy nursemaid, Impa, to secretly escape into the land and go find a man with enough courage to destroy the evil Ganon. Upon hearing this, Ganon grew angry, imprisoned the princess, and sent out a party in search of Impa.
Braving forests and mountains, Impa fled for her life from her pursuers. As she reached the very limit of her energy she found herself surrounded by Ganon's evil henchmen. Cornered! What could she do? ...But wait! All was not lost. A young lad appeared. He skillfully drove off Ganon's henchmen, and saved Impa from a fate worse than death.
His name was Link. During his travels he had come across Impa and Ganon's henchmen. Impa told Link the whole story of the princesss Zelda and the evil Ganon. Burning with a sense of justice, Link resolved to save Zelda, but Ganon was a powerful opponent. He held the Triforce of Power. And so, in order to fight off Ganon, Link had to bring the scattered eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom together to rebuild the mystical triangle. If he couldn't do this, there would be no chance Link could fight his way into Death Mountain where Ganon lived.
Can Link really destroy Ganon and save princess Zelda? Only your skill can answer that question. Good luck. Use the Triforce wisely.
The Legend of Zelda GameBoy Advance Intruction Manual Story:
Long, Long Ago...
-The World was in the Age of Chaos-
Among this chaos, in the tranquil Kingdom of Hyrule, the legend of the Triforce-golden artifacts possessing untold mystical powers-was handed down over generations.
One day, a dark army attacked the peaceful kingdom and seized the Triforce of Power. This army was led by Ganon, a powerful warlock bent on reigning over a dynasty of fear and darkness. Fearing his nefarious designs on the throne, Zelda, the princess of Hyrule, split the Triforce of Wisdom into eight fragments and scattered them throughout the realm to keep them out of Ganon's reach. She then commanded her trustworthy nursemaid, Impa, to flee the castle and seek a champion with the courage to battle Ganon. Ganon, infuriated by the news of Impa's escape, imprisoned the princess and ordered a horde of henchmen to hunt down the elderly nursemaid.
Desperately running through forests and mountains, Impa fled for her life. Just as her strength began to fail, Impa found herself surrounded by Ganon's underlings. She was certain all hope was lost, but a young lad appeared and drove off the wicked attackers, saving her from a fate worse than death. The boy explained that his name was Link, and that he'd stumbled across Impa and her attackers as he traveled through the area. Grateful for his assistance, Impa told young Link the story of Princess Zelda's predicament and Ganon's vile grip on the Kingdom. Upon hearing this heart-wrenching tale, Link vowed to save Zelda-but he knew that as long as Ganon held the Triforce of Power, he was a fearsome foe that would not be easily defeated. In order to vanquish him, Link would have to collect the scattered Triforce fragments and fuse them into the Triforce of Wisdom. Without the Triforce of Wisdom, Link would have no hope of slaying Ganon. Will Link fight his way to Death Mountain, destroy Ganon, and save Princess Zelda? Only you can determine the fate of Hyrule.
LOZ Intro:
Long ago, Ganon Prince of Darkness stole the Triforce of Power. Princess Zelda of Hyrule broke the Triforce of Wisdom into eight pieces and hid them from Ganon before she was kidnapped by Ganon's minions. Link, you must find the pieces and save Zelda.
LOZ story from Collectors Edition manual:
Long ago in the land of Hyrule, legends spoke of the Triforce-three golden triangles with mystical powers. When Ganon, Prince of Darkness, invaded the kingdom and stole the Triforce of Power, the princess Zelda took the Triforce of Wisdom and broke it into eight pieces. She hid them to protect the Triforce from Ganon's clutches. Furious Ganon imprisoned Zelda. It was a young boy named Link who endeavored to save her...
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link:
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
Hyrule was on the road to ruin. The power that the vile heart of Ganon had left behind was causing chaos and disorder in Hyrule. What's more, even after the fall of Ganon, some of his underlings remained, waiting for Ganon's return. The key to Ganon's return was the blood of Link - the valiant lad who overthrew the King of Evil. Ganon would be revived by sacrificing Link and sprinkling his blood on the ashes of Ganon. Meanwhile, Link remained in the little kingdom of Hyrule and lent his hand to its restoration. But circumstances did not look very good. One day, a strange mark, exactly like the crest of the kingdom, appeared on the back of Link's hand as he approached his 16th birthday. The worried Link, went to Impa, Princess Zelda's nursemaid who was shocked and frightened when she saw the birthmark. When she regained her composure, she took Link to the North Castle. There was a door in the North Castle called "the door that does not open." Only the descendants of the Impa family who served the king knew how to open the door. Impa took Link's left hand and pressed the back of it against the door. There was a sound of a lock falling open, the door slowly creaked open and there on an alter in the middle of the room lay a beautiful woman.
"Here lies Princess Zelda." Impa began to speak calmly.
"Link, the time has come when I must tell you the legend of Zelda handed down in Hyrule. It is said that a long time ago, when Hyrule was one country, a great ruler maintained the peace in Hyrule using the Triforce. However, he too was a child of man and he died. Then, the prince of the kingdom should have become king and inherited everything, but he could inherit the Triforce only in part.
"The Prince searched everywhere for the missing parts, but could not find them.
"Then, a magaician close to the king brought him some unexpected news. Before he died, the king had said something about the Triforce to only the younger sister of the prince, Princess Zelda. The prince immediately questioned the princess, but she wouldn't tell him anything. After the prince, the magician threatened to put the princess into an eternal sleep if she did not talk, but even still, she said nothing.
"In his anger, the magician tried to cast a magic spell on the princess. The surprised prince tried to stop him, but the magaician fought off the prince and went on chanting the spell. Then, when the spell was finally cast, Princess Zelda fell on the spot and entered a sleep from which she might never awake. At the same time, the magician also fell down and breathed his last.
"In his grief, the prince placed the princess in this room. He hoped that someday she would come back to life. So that this tragedy would never be forgotten, he ordered that every female child born into the royal household shall be given the name Zelda."
From the stand next to the alter where Princess Zelda lay in a deep sleep, Impa took six crystals and a scroll with the same crest and handed them to Link.
"For generations, my family has been handed down these things which have been set aside for a time when a great king will come. They are written in an ancient script that no-one can read now. But you who have the crest may be able to read it. It is said that the key to uniting the Triforce is hidded there. Now it is time for you to read it."
Link glanced at the scroll half in doubt, but what do you know? Although he had never seen the letters before, he found that he could read them as if they were talking to him. This was written on the scroll.
"You who'll control the Triforce of the future. I shall hand down to you the secrets of the Triforce. There are three kinds of Triforce - Power, Wisdom, and Courage. When these three are brought together, the Triforce will show its maximum power. Of the three, I have left Power and Wisdom in the kingdom. but the Triforce Courage I have hidden for a reason.
"Not everybody can use the Triforce. It requires a strong character with no evil thoughts. But an inborn special quality is also necessary. Unfortunately, I have not found such a person during my lifetime.
"Therefore, I have decided to cast a spell on all of Hyrule. A crest will appear on a young man with that character who has been brought up correctly, has gained many kinds of experiences and reached a certain age. But, what will happen if someone else uses the Triforce before then? If it is misused, it will produce many evils.
"The Triforce of Courage is hidden in the Great Palace in the Valley of Death on the largest island in Hyrule. However, to enter there you must first fight the guardians and undo the "binding force." When you have defeated the guardains, which I made to prevent enemies from invading the six palaces in Hyrule, set a crystal in the forehead of the statue you find. When you have set crystals in all of the statues in the six palaces, the "binding force" placed on the Valley of Death will be removed and you will be able to enter the great palace. There, you must fight the last guardain. And you can obtain the Triforce only by defeating that guardian. There's nothing to fear. You are the one to get the Triforce. You are the beacon of hope for Hyrule."
Impa implored Link, who raised his head slowly after reading the scroll.
"The magic spell cast upon Princess Zelda will sure to be broken if the Triforce is used.
"Please, Link. Unite the Triforce and save the princess. And bring back peace to Hyrule."
Link nodded silently in approval, and left the room after taking a long glance at the altar.
Then, with a magical sword in his left hand and a magical shield in his right, he set off alone on his long travels.
At that time, Ganon's underlings were calling up new allies from the Underworld, and were beginning to work devilishly towards the revival of Ganon.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Instruction Manual Story:
Though the hero Link defeated Ganon and rescued Princess Zelda, Hyrule remained plagued with evil. In the passing seasons, the power that Ganon had left behind, as well as his remaining underlings, were once again causing chaos and disorder throughout the kingdom. Ganon's servants hoped to revive their master by sacrificing Link and Sprinkling his blood on Ganon's Ashes.
One day, as Link approached his sixteenth birthday, a strange mark shaped like the crest of the kingdom appeared on the back of his hand. The worried Link consulted Impa, Princess Zelda's elderly nursemaid. Shocked and frightened, Impa took Link to the North Castle to explain the legend behind the mark. Only the descendants of the Impa family who served under the king knew how to open the door to the North Castle. On an altar in the middle of the room lay a beautiful woman, Princess Zelda. Impa began to explain the legend of Zelda...
"Long ago, when Hyrule was one kingdom, a great ruler maintained the peace in Hyrule using the Triforce. After the king died, the prince of the kingdom should have become king and inherited everything, but he could only inherit the Triforce in part. The prince searched everywhere for the missing parts, but could not find them. A wizard close to the king said that, before he died, the king had said something about the Triforce to the younger sister of the prince, Princess Zelda. The prince immediately questioned the princess, but she revealed nothing. The wizard threatened to send the princess into an eternal sleep if she did not talk. Still, Princess Zelda said nothing. The wizard, fighting off the startled prince, cast his spell. The princess fell on that spot, entering into a deep sleep, and at the same moment, the wizard collapsed, too. In his grief, the prince placed the princess in the North Castle room in which we now stand. The prince hoped that someday Zelda would awaken from her slumber. So that this tragedy would never be forgotten, he ordered every female child born into the royal household be given the name Zelda."
From the stand next to the sleeping princess, Impa gave Link six crystals and a scroll with the same crest as the one on his hand. She explained that the items had been given to her ancestors by the king and handed down for generations in her family for when a time of need would come. The scroll, which contained the key to uniting the Triforce, was written in an ancient script that only those with the crest would be able to read.
Link glanced at the scroll doubtfully, but found that he understood the words as clearly as if they were being spoken to him. The scroll revealed that the key to unlocking the Triforce's power was uniting all three: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. The king had left Power and Wisdom in the kingdom, but had hidden Courage, because only an individual with strong character and a special inborn qualitycould use it without disastrous results. Because the king had not found such a person during his reign, he cast a spell on Hyrule so that the crest would appear on this chosen one. But, if used before then, the Triforce would produce many evils.
The scroll went on to reveal that the Triforce of Courage was in the Great Palace in the Valley of Death on the largest island in Hyrule. To enter the Great Palace, however, Link would first have to fight the guardians protecting each of the six palaces in Hyrule, place the crystals in palace statues, and undo the binding force protecting the Valley of Death.
Surely, with the Triforce of Courage, Link could awaken Princess Zelda from her eternal slumber. With a magical sword in his left hand and a magical shield in his right, he set off alone on his long travels. At that very moment, Ganon's underlings were calling up new allies from the realm of evil and working devilishly towards the revival of their leader...
AOL Intro:
After Ganon was destroyed, Impa told Link a sleeping spell was cast on Princess Zelda. She will wake only with the power of the third Triforce sealed in a palace in Hyrule. To break the seal, crystals must be placed in statues in 6 well guarded Palaces. Link set out on his most adventurous quest yet...
AOL story from Collectors Edition manual:
After Ganon was destroyed, Impa, Princess Zelda's nursemaid, told Link that a sleeping spell had been cast on Princess Zelda and that only the power of the Triforce could awaken her. Armed with six crystals and an ancient scroll, Link embarked on his most challenging quest yet, unaware that evil forces were hunting him in hope of sacrificing Link and using his blood to revive the evil Ganon.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past:
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY - LTTP (SNES)
To set the stage for the adventure of the legendary Hero of Hyrule, it will be informative to delve into the Triforce myth, an ancient epic about the creation of the world that is still believed in the land of Hyrule. Every culture has such myths and theories about the creation of their worlds, and it can be beneficial and entertaining to examine them in detail, for they often affect the present day social structure. The legends say the mystical gods of Hyrule had as their chosen people the Hylia. These ancient people left scrolls that are the primary source of the legends...
----------The Creation Of Hyrule----------
According to the Hylian scrolls, the mythical gods descended from a distant nebula to the world that was and created order and life. The God of Power dyed the mountains red with fire and created land. The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature. And the God of Courage, through justice and vigor, created life - the animals that crawl the land and the birds that soar in the sky. After the gods had finished their work, they left the world, but not before creating a symbol of their strength, a golden triangle known as the Triforce. A small but powerful portion of the essence of the gods was held in this mighty artifact, which was to guide the intelligent life on the world of Hyrule.
Although it was an inanimate object, the Triforce had the power to bestow three titles which gave the person who received them great powers: "The Forger of Strength", "The Keeper of Knowledge", and "The Juror of Courage". From its hiding place in the so-called Golden Land where the gods placed it, the Triforce beckoned people from the outside world to seek it in the hope that someone worthy of these titles would find it.
With their magic infused blood, the Hylian people were endowed with psychic powers and skill in wizardry. It was also said that their long, pointed ears enabled them to hear special messages from the gods, so they were held in high esteem by many people in Hyrule. Their descendants settled in various parts of the world and passed on their knowledge and magical lore to all people. But in its passing, the lore was often distorted or lost altogether...
----------Gates To The Golden Land----------
In Hyrule, there are many Hylian buildings which are mentioned repeatedly in the legends. These buildings, which now lie in ruin, pale shadows of their former splendor, are closely tied to the Triforce. Some were said to house the Triforce itself...
If it were only a symbol of the gods, the Triforce would be coveted by many. But a verse from the Book Of Mudora (a collection of Hylian legends and lore) made the Triforce even more desirable.
In a realm beyond sight,
The sky shines gold, not blue.
There, the Triforce's might
Makes mortal dreams come true.
Many aggressively searched for the wish-granting Triforce, but no one, not even the Hylian sages, was sure of its location; the knowledge had been lost over time. Some said the Triforce lay under the desert, others siad that it was in the cemetery in the shadow of Death Mountain, but no one ever found it. That yearning for the Triforce soon turned to lust for power, which in turn led to the spilling of blood. Soon the only motive left among those searching for the Triforce was pure greed.
One day, quite by accident, a gate to the Golden Land of the Triforce was opened by a gang of thieves skilled in the black arts. This land was like no other. In the gathering twilight, the Triforce shone from its resting place high above the world. In a long running battle, the leader of the thieves fought his way past his followers in lust for the Golden Power. After vanquishing his own followers, the leader stood triumphant over the Triforce and grasped it with his blood-stained hands. He heard a whispered voice: "If thou hast a strong desire or dream, wish for it..." And in reply, the roaring laughter of the brigand leader echoed across time and space and even reached the far-off land of Hyrule. The name of this king of thieves is Ganondorf Dragmire, but he is known by his alias, Mandrag Ganon, which means Ganon of the Enchanted Thieves.
----------The Imprisoning War----------
I do not know what Ganon wished for from the Triforce. However, in time evil power began to flow from the Golden Land and greedy men were drawn there to become members of Ganon's army. Black clouds permanently darkened the sky, and many disasters best Hyrule. The lord of Hyrule sent for the Seven Wise Men and the Knights Of Hyrule, and ordered them to seal the entrance to the Golden Land. The Triforce, being an inanimate object, cannot judge between good and evil. Therefore, it could not know that Ganon's wishes were evil; it merely granted them. Suspecting that Ganon's power was based on the Triforce's magic, the people of Hyrule forged a sword resistant to magic which could repulse even powers granted by the Triforce. This mighty weapon became known as the blade of evil's bane, or the Master Sword. It was so powerful that only one who was pure of heart and strong of body could wield it. As the Seven Wise Men searched for a valiant person to take up the Master Sword, Ganon's evil army swarmed from the tainted Golden Land into Hyrule and attacked the castle. The wise men and the Knights Of Hyrule combined forces to wage war on the evil horde.
The Knights took the full brunt of the fierce attack, and although they fought courageously, many a brave soul was lost that day. However, their lives were not lost in vain, for they bought precious time for the Seen Wise Men to magically seal Ganon in the Golden Land. All of Hyrule rejoiced at the victory that upheld peace and order over Ganon's evil and chaos. This war, which had claimed many lives, became known as the Imprisoning War in stories told in later centuries.
----------The Coming Of The Wizard----------
Many centuries have passed since the Imprisoning War. The land of Hyrule healed its wounds and the people lived in peace for a long time. Memories of the vicious Imprisoning War faded over the generations...
So it is no surprise that no one was prepared for the new disasters that have recently struck Hyrule. Pestilence and drought, uncontrollable even by magic, ravaged the land. The king of Hyrule, after council with his sages, ordered an investigation of the Imprisoned Dark World (as the Golden Land had come to be known) but the wise men's seal was apparently intact. He offered rewards for anyone who could find the source of these troubles. In answer to these summons a stranger named Agahnim came and quelled the disasters with a previously unseen form of magic. As a reward, the king gave him a new position as chief advisor and heir to the Seven Wise Men. The masses proclaimed him their hero. Peace had returned to Hyrule...or had it?
Of late, rumors have traveled their whispering path with alarming frequency. Rumors saying Agahnim now rules the country with his magic... rumors of strange magical experiments in the castle tower at night... The people of Hyrule were gripped by dread.
----------Prologue----------
One night, a girl's voice awakens you from your sleep.
"Help me...
My name is Zelda...
I am in the castle dungeon."
She telepathically pleads.
You jump out of bed not knowing whether the voice was part of a dream or reality. Upon leaving your bed, you find your uncle, who should be fast asleep at this time, preparing to go out, girded for battle.
"I'll be back by morning," he says as he departs. "Don't leave the house."
You watch him leave with the family sword in hand and shield on arm. This is a night like no other... Who is Zelda? Where had your uncle gone and for what reason?
And so, on an ill-fated night, a new chapter in the legend of Hyrule's hero begins - a new chapter in The Legend of Zelda!
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY - LTTP (GBA)
THE LEGENDS OF HYRULE
Eons ago, the Deities of Power, Courage, and Wisdom descended to the world of chaos, they created the world that we know and left behind a symbol of their strength, the Triforce, which they hid in the Golden Land.
After many years, an opening was found that led from our fair Hyrule to the Golden Land, where the mystical Triforce was still hidden. Many sought treasure in this place, but none returned - only beings of great evil emerged from the Golden Land.
The King of Hyrule gathered the Seven Sages to find a way to seal the entrance to the Golden Land so that his kingdom would be safe from the evil there. The Sages succeeded and brought peace again to Hyrule.
However, strange things have been happening in Hyrule since the appearance of Agahnim, a mysterious sorcerer who gained fame for extinguishing a devastating blaze of unknown origin some years ago.
And now...
One night, a girl's voice wakes you from sleep. "Help me... my name is Zelda... I am in the castle dungeon." Not knowing if the voice was a dream or reality, you step into the rain and forbidding darkness...and the Legend of Zelda begins.
The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening:
LA INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY
Though you fulfilled the Hyrulian prophecy of the Legendary Hero and destroyed the evil tyrant Ganon, the land of Hyrule enjoyed only a precarious peace. "Who knows what threats may arise from Ganon's ashes?" the restless people murmured as they knitted their brow and shook their heads. Ever vigilant, you decided to journey away from Hyrule on a quest for enlightenment, in search of wisdom that would make you better able to withstand the next threat to your homeland.
Months of difficult travel passed. After a long and fruitful voyage, you breathed deeply the sea spray from the deck of the ship that carried you home to Hyrule. But your homecoming was not to be. Suddenly a squall struck your ship, and though you valiantly fought the waves, a lightning bolt reduced your ship to splinters.
Your world faded to black as you sank into the darkness of the storm-tossed sea with the remains of your craft. But in the cold darkness of the deep, you heard a comforting voice that reminded you of home. It was the voice of Princess Zelda!
"You're going to be all right!" the voice said. "What a relief!"
You opened your eyes to find Princess Zelda standing over you - or was it?! Actually, it turned out to be a woman named Marin. She explained that you had drifted with the wreckage of your ship to the shores of Koholint Island. This mysterious island was unique for the gigantic egg which crowned its central mountain. It was said that a mythical creature, the Wind Fish, lay asleep inside the egg.
You set out in search of your sword and other gear that might have washed up on the beach with you. As you stood in the surf with your recovered sword, a strange owl suddenly appeared and hooted this riddle:
"Awaken the Wind Fish and all will be answered."
"What is the Wind Fish?" you wonder... And what did its awakening portend? Your most mysterious adventure yet, following the riddle of the Wind Fish through the uncharted island of Koholint, is about to unfold.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time:
OOT INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
A long time ago...
Before life began, before the world had form, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom and Farore, the Goddess of Courage.
Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world. Farore's rich soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.
These three great goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind the golden sacred Triforce. Since then, the Triforce has become the basis for Hyrule's providence. Where the Triforce stood became sacred land.
In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule, the Great Deku Tree served as the guardian spirit. The children of the forest, the Kokiri, lived with the Great Deku Tree. Each Kokiri had his or her own guaridan fairy. Except one. His name was Link.
Early one morning, Link was having a nightmare. It was the same nightmare he had every night. During a storm, Link would find himself standing in front of a mysterious castle. A rider on horseback, carrying a girl, would race by. The girl would look at Link as if to say something. Then, another rider would appear. This big man clad in black would look down menacingly at Link. Link would then awaken.
"Link! Hey, get up, Link! The Great Deku Tree wants to talk to you!"
As Link opened his eyes, he saw a fairy floating in front of him. This fairy's name was Navi. Navi was sent to summon Link to the Great Deku Tree.
"Oh Navi, thou has returned!" said the Deku Tree. "Thank you, Link, for coming. Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares. A vile climate pervades this world. Verily, ye have felt it. The time has come to test thine courage. I have been cursed. I need you to dispel the curse with your wisdom and courage. Art thou prepared?"
Link entered the Great Deku Tree and broke the curse.
"Well done, Link! I knew that ye were worthy of carrying out my wishes. A wicked man of the Desert cast this dreadful curse on me. Employing his vile, sorcerous energies, the evil one is searching for the sacred realm connected to Hyrule. For it is there that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, that contains the essence of the gods. Whoever holds the Triforce can make their wishes come true. Thou must never allow the desert man to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce. Thou must never suffer that man to enter the Sacred Realm of Legend. Link, go now to Hyrule Castle. There, ye will surely meet the Princess of Destiny. Present this stone to the Princess. I have foreseen that she will understand everything."
The Great Deku Tree gave Link the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, before dying, the Deku Tree's last words were, "The future depends upon thee, Link. Thou art courageous."
OOT story from Collectors Edition manual:
A long, long time ago, the land of Hyrule, blessed by the three golden goddesses, was a land at peace. But one day a wicked man from the desert appeared and began searching for the doorway to the Sacred Realm where the Golden Power, the Triforce, lay hidden. Chosen for his courage, Link was tasked with preventing this evil man from ever entering the sacred realm of legend and obtaining the devine relic.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask:
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
In the land of Hyrule, there echoes a legend. A legend held dearly by the Royal Family that tells of a boy...
A boy who after battling evil and saving Hyrule, crept away from that land that had made him a legend...
Done with the battles he once waged across time, he embarked on a journey. A secret and
personal journey...
A journey in search of a beloved and invaluable friend... A friend with whom he parted ways when he finally fulfilled his heroic destiny and took his place
among legends...
MM story from Collectors Edition manual:
Having waged his battles across time to defeat the evil Ganon and restore peace to Hyrule, Link departed from the land that made him a legend. On a personal journey in search of a beloved and invaluable friend, Link was waylaid while traveling through the Lost Woods, and his horse and precious Ocarina were stolen from him. His pursuit of the villain led him into the strange, parallel world of Termina, where he found his fate tied to its impending doom...
The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons:
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
One day in Hyrule, a strange force drew Link deep within Hyrule castle, where he found the Triforce resting, glittering brilliantly as it awaited him.
"Link... Link... Accept the quest of the Triforce!"
Suddenly, Link was enveloped in a shaft of light, and the next moment, he vanishes. When Link awoke, he found himself in a roest he had never seen. Confused, he looked around blankly at the unfamiliar surroundings. He heard pleasant music and laughing voices ehcoing from deep within the woods. Link followed the inviting voices until he came upon a traveling troupe of actors. He was immediately struck by the beauty of a young woman who was dancing about in circles. When the girl noticed Link, she smiled brightly and called to him.
"Welcom to Holodrum. I am Din, the dancer," she said with glee. "Would you like to dance with me? Don't be shy. It will be more fun if we dance together." She took him by the hand, and he reluctantly began to dance.
Unfortunately, this blissful moment did not last long. The sky suddenly went dark and there was a loud crash of thunder, followed by a resounding, thunderous voice.
"I've found you, Din! You can't deceive me by disguising yourself as a dancer. I am Onox, General of Darkness! Now reveal yourself, Oracle of Seasons!"
Then a great tornado dropped from the sky and drew near Din, as if to engulf her.
"Help me, Link!" she cried.
Link was blown back by the tornado as he struggled against its awesome force, and Din was swept away in the wind...
When Onox carried off the Oralce of Seasons from the land of Holodrum, the seasons fell into chaos and the land was deprived the bountiful gifts of nature. Life was slowly being drained from the land, and all living things began to wither.
And so Onox set in motion his plan to gather the power from the withering land and create a world of total darkness. Will Link be able to rescue Din from the hand of evil, the General of Darkness?
Such is the quest Link must undertake.
The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages:
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
Link awoke one day to find himself deep in a strange forest. As he started to walk through the woods, he heard cries for help coming from just up ahead of him. Link hurried toward the voice only to find a group of monsters surrounding the woman who was screaming. When the monsters saw Link, they immediately fled.
The woman who was being attacked was none other than Impa, nurse to Hyrule's Princess Zelda. Impa said she had come to the forest to search for a singer named Nayru.
Can't you help me look?" Impa asked. Despite the strange look she gave him, Link could not refuse her request. Together they found a large stone with a rune on it. Naturally, Link moved the stone, but Impa wouldn't so much as lay a hand on it.
As they traveled even deeper into the forest, they found a young woman singing. Invited to sit by the group of animals that listened to the girl's song, Link joined in the circle and let the beautiful song fill his ears and penetrate his heart. This was surely Nayru, the singer Impa was searching for. Just then, Impa erupted in a cackling laugh.
"Ah ha ha ha ha ha!"
A darkness surrounded Impa, and a frightening shadow lifted from her body.
"Nayru! Oracle of Ages! I, Veran, Sorceress of Shadows, shall make you my own!"
The shadow that called itself Veran began swooping about the forest before flying straight into the body of the frightened singer. A blinding light shone forth from Nayru's body.
When Link's eyes had grown use to the light, he realized that Nayru looked very strange. Her face seemed veiled in shadow, and her bright smile had vanished. A piercing, evil gaze replaced it.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!"
"Now the power of the Oracle of Ages is mine! I can travel through time at will! Now a new age shall begin-an age of shadows!" And with that, Veran and Nayru vanished.
Nayru was actually the Oracle of Ages who controlled time in this land of Labrynna. Whent he oracle was kidnaped, the flow of time in Labrynna was distorted, and strange things began to happen. Before vanishing, Veran said, "When the past changes, so does the present." Her plan was to travel to the past and gather power from the sorrows of the people of Labrynna so that she could create her age of shadows.
Will Link be able to free Nayru from Veran's eveil clutches? Such is the quest that Link must now undertake.
The Legend of Zelda: The WindWaker:
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET STORY:
Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. One day, a man of evil found this power and took it for himself, and with it at his command, he spread darkness across the kingdom. But then� just as all hope had died, a young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding a blade that repelled evil, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light. This boy, who travelled through time to save the land, was known as the Hero of Time. The boy�s tale was passed down through generations until it became legend.
And then a day came when a fell wind began to blow across the kingdom, and the great evil once again crept forth from the depths of the earth. The people believed that the Hero of Time would again come to save them. But the hero did not appear�
What became of that kingdom�? None remain who know. The memory of the kingdom vanished, but its legend survived on the wind�s breath.
On a certain island, it became customary to garb young boys in green when they come of age. Clothed in the green of fields, they aspire to find heroic blades and cast evil down. The elders wish only for the youths to know courage like the hero of legend�
Fours Swords Instruction manual story:
Long ago, an evil wind mage known as Vaati terrorized villages and kidnapped maidens that captured his fancy. Then one day, a travelling hero appeared and declared to defeat the wind mage. With but a single sword, the boy confronted Vaati and, after a bitter struggle, defeated the wind mage and imprisoned him within the sword. The sword was then enshrined deep within the forests of Hyrule, and the boy disappeared. The villagers were confused at how a single boy could defeat such a powerful villain, but the maidens, who had witnessed the battle, told them that the boy, by waving his sword, had managed to split himself into four bodies. The four heroes defeated the wind mage, sealed him within the sword, and rescued the maidens. From then on, the enshrined sword which contained Vaati was known as the Four Sword.
A great period of time has passed since then. One day, as Princess Zelda walked around Hyrule Castle, she sensed trouble brewing at the Four Sword Shrine. Having this special ability to sense danger, she enlisted the help of Link, a young boy who Zelda trusted. The two of them went off to inspect the shrine, only to find that the seal had been broken. Vaati had finally escaped from the Four Sword! He kidnapped Zelda and brought her his Palace of Winds, knocking out Link in the process. Three fairies then appeared to awaken Link, prompting him to pull the Four Sword from it's ancient resting place. Now, Link had been split into four, all of whom were dedicated to rescuing the princess and putting Vaati back in his place.
Four Swords Adventures Instuction manual story:
Long ago in the inner reaches of Hyrule, an evil wind sorcerer known as Vaati began kidnapping beautiful young maidens, one after another.
Nobody could stop Vaati, and the people of Hyrule despaired. Then, a brave young wanderer carrying only a single sword appeared.
When the young lad took out his sword, he split into four separate beings. The legends say that these four begins worked as one and defeated Vaati.
The wanderer, united once again, imprisoned Vaati deep in Hyrule and sealed the prison with his own sword. This palce became known as the Realm of the Four Sword.
After that, a long time passed.
Then, the wind sorcerer Vaati broke out of his prison and then snatched Princess Zelda of Hyrule.
Zelda's childhood friend, a young boy named Link, claimed the strange power of the Four Sword and fought Vaati fiercely. In the end, he succeeded in sealing Vaati away once again.
And so, peace was restored to Hyrule once again.
Or so everyone thought.
The Minish Cap Instruction Manual Story:
The Legend of the Picori
Long, long ago, evil spirits descended on the land of Hyrule. Just when it seemed that the world was to be cast into the darkest of shadows, the tiny Picori appeared from the skies and bestowed on a courageous human a shining golden light and a single sword. This bravest of men used his wisdom and courage, his golden light, and his sword to fight off the demons and restore peace to the world. The people were so grateful for the Picori's help that they held an annual celebration in their honor. The tradition of the Picori Festival continued, but over the generations, the Picori themselves passed into legend. The legend of the Picori tells of a mystical doorway that opens just once every hundred years. When the door is open, the Picori can cross from their world into Hyrule. This year is that year in a hundred, and the festival is unusually grand. Hyrule Castle is hosting a tournament of sword-fighting skill, recalling the great battles of legend. This year's champion is a man by the name of Vaati. He has won the tournament with an almost magical ease, and all of Hyrule is abuzz with rumors about this shadowy figure. "Who is this Vaati?" they ask. "What has brought him to Hyrule?"