#last and like only time wait no that’s a lie Hyrule warriors exists

[solacebean]

New blorb for my personal links meet au bout to drop I have No self control

Oh that's where he went

[abizarreyodelingincident]

Linked Universe: Regrets

“Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those who came after... At last, I have eased my regrets.”

Twilight had never forgotten those words. He had carried them with pride. Used them when his hands faltered. Remembered the strength that had been taught to him. Swords without courage meant nothing. With the lessons of the Hero's Shade, Twilight struck down Hyrule's greatest enemy for good.

(He thought. But there would be another after him, long after, but one nonetheless, and he would suffer greatly from the shadow of Hyrule's first enemy.)

Nowadays, it's a white lie that haunts his nights.

“Link... I... See you later.”

He's learned when things aren't meant to be. And he loves his fellow heroes. Wouldn't trade them for peaceful days wandering his Hyrule. He loves them. Like brothers. Like another father. But he knows it can't last. Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. And theirs... through time and space... there will be no reunion after they've completed this quest.

He should shield his heart better, but they slip past too easily for that. One day, they'll go their separate way. He can't change that. Still, any time he looks at the old man, his heart squeeze and he just wants to help. To save him. He can't.

Is it like that for anyone else? Does Hyrule hide something like this from Legend behind all his sweet smiles and his eagerness to learn? Does he also think of a nameless grave by a tree? Maybe a grand mausoleum, because it's Legend, and he's earned at least this much, to hear him speak of his many trials?

He smirks to himself at the idea, but it slips soon enough.

Four? No one's quite sure where he fits in the timeline, but the best guess is 'early'. Wind? No, he's said the legends exist, but the hero never showed. Warriors thinks it's the timelines diverging when Time returned to his youth to prevent Ganon's rise. He's another odd one out. Knowing a bit of everything and everyone's legacy. Does Warriors know how it'll end for me?Wild certainly doesn't.

The truth is Twilight knows that Time will never be fully content despite Malon, despite a future as a father, and he hates the fact that he cannot save his mentor. Cannot prevent that regret from taking root in him. He's only ever known that he hated leaving his Hyrule defenseless, with no one to learn from the hardships he was shoved into as a child.

Twilight hates it so much. Sometimes, Zant's pendant pulsed with the dark emotions that want to choke him up. He almost wonders if there isn't something right in the ranting of the old usurpers. The Goddesses were so many things, but kind?

It's hard to remember their blessings when the people you love most see their fate as cursed. When Hyrule is doomed without that pain.

“Green rupee for your thoughts?” Warriors ask, watching the sun set over the horizon.

“I know I'm country folk, but we ain't that cheap, Captain,” Twilight drawls.

Warriors shrugs, then pulls his sword out to run a whetstone over its edge. “Well, I'm broke. My queen and I hadn't thought it'd stretch out over this long.”

The thought sobers Twilight, who is decidedly not looking dusk painting the sky like a bonfire. “Miss her?” he says, quieter than usual.

Warriors' glance is a bit sharper than warranted, but he makes no comment about it. “Certainly,” he replies easily. “She was one of the few... mhmm, wait, did I never tell you about my situation back in my era?”

He sees the non-sequitur and accepts it with a sigh of relief. Sitting down by the same tree, he settles just close enough for them to touch shoulders. “No, but I sense this is a long story.”

“It's the perfect length, thank you,” Warriors haughtily counters. “So, it all begins roughly ten years ago-”

Twilight snorts, and pushes his brother roughly. Warriors is agile enough he slips back into place without dropping the sword or the stone, radiating smug triumph.

In the end, he joins Warriors on first watch just to distract himself from his thoughts.

***

Lon Lon Ranch is one of his favorite place to visit. Stepping inside feels like being served a slice of Ordon on a platter. It's a piece of home, without the awkwardness that comes from the odd looks here and there. Unspoken questions about every little way he's changed.

Twilight shakes his head. What's he doing? Somewhat forcefully, he pulls back the sleeves of his tunic and spits in his hands. He's got some work to do, and it's not Legend (who is egging Warriors more than he's shoveling) or Wind (who is having the time of his life learning how to ride with Time's Epona) that'll finish the chores for him.

“Here, sweetheart.” Malon holds out a waterskin to him and a towel. “Don't forget to rest and drink every once in a while. With this sun, it's not healthy to neglect it.”

He accepts gratefully, swallowing a mouthful of cool water first. “I will, Ma'am.”

“Oh, hush with that. It's Malon for family,” she corrects him easily, and he ducks his head, pleased. “And I'll be watching you, sweetheart. The Goddesses know my Link's not one to recognize his limits.”

Time straightens and leans against the handle of his spade. “Now, now, honey, you know I'm a reasonable man.”

“Did I tell you about the time my clever husband decided to renovate the ba-!”

Malon lets out a fake shriek when Time grabs her with his dirt-covered hands. Pretends to fight back. She's not fooling him or her husband. They've both witnessed her handling the cattle. It's not from Time's side of the family that Twilight inherited the strength.

(They're the type of couple that teases each other constantly. He wonders what it would have been like if Midna...)

There's something a little different about Malon today. Something under her skin. Like she was holding on to a secret with both hands and it's threatening to explode the whole time. He wouldn't call her nervous. Excited, though? Yes.

He finds out at dinner.

They've just finished another two course meal courtesy of Malon and Wild when she pulls her husband aside during dessert. It gets a glance or two, but the conversation keeps going on the topic of stupidest things they've ever done. Since it's Wild's turn though, Twilight can still focus on the married couple by the sink.

(It's a sad day when he can name more for Wild than Wild remembers. They've got diverging definitions of what constitutes a 'stupid' thing. He will forever argue against the monster masks, especially the lynel one.)

“I was waiting for a chance to tell you in person. I saw a wisewoman last week.”

“What for...?” Time asks, and he sounds a little anxious for once, hands hovering closer to his wife.

Coy, Malon bites her lips and glances at Twilight. Time has to turn to see where, exactly, she's looking, and his breath hitches when he realizes. His mouth twitch as he grabs both her hands, focused on her with such intensity she giggles.

“You mean...?”

She breaks into a grin, nods and whispers-yells: “Yes! We're going to be parents, Link.”

The kiss he lands on her lips is indecent enough to attract whistles from some of the others, who seem to be clueing in to the excitement in the room. When those two come apart, a pleasant blush colors their cheeks, and he tells her, over and over that he loves her. When he's had his fill, he whirls around to face them and their cheering.

“Boys!” Time calls out, exuberant, absolutely unguarded. “Boys! I'm going to be a father!”

The roof, improbably, resists the eruption of screams. Time's pure joy is contagious and it's the best news they've got since starting this quest. Congratulations rain on the happy couple.

“Someone's going to have competition, huh?” Legend nudges Twilight's ribs, wagging eyebrows.

Normally, Twilight would be flattered that his bond with Time is that obvious. Normally, he'd grab Legend and give him a noogie for his insolence. Make him cry 'uncle'. The classic big brother behavior he's used to. But he barely hears the words as it is, his mind bogged down by a sudden realization.

He stalls.

He's a second delayed in joining in the congratulations, behind Sky and Hyrule who are a little less physical in their affections. They've formed a circle around their leader and his wife, offering their best wishes, joking, patting Time on the back, kissing Malon's cheeks.

And then it's his turn.

Twilight remembers to breath. Offers his hand first.

“Oh, come here, you!” she swats away his hand and forces him into a hug that's warm, soft.

“You'll make a wonderful mother, Malon.”

Her expression shifts slightly, more of a knowing smirk, and he can see her laughter in her eyes. 'Oh, now you tell me.'

It's impossible for him not to smile back.

And below that elation, the flare of hope in his guts, is a heart stopping dread.

***

The next few battles are some of the worst Twilight had to struggle through. The enemies' number swell. Their ambushes turn elaborate with unheard of combinations of monsters that never coexisted naturally. The puppeteer behind them has tightened the strings, and Twilight has trouble keeping his head above water when every second he looks away, he fears his mentor (father) will die.

It's sheer experience and a heaping dose of help from his companions that ensure he's not dead. And even then...

“There, good as new,” Hyrule proclaims, slapping Twilight's bicep for good measure. “Now how about you don't pull a Wild and drop your weapon next time? We're counting on you to teach him caution, not the opposite.”

“Heard you, 'Rule!” Wild protests from where he's helping Four hobble back to them.

“Great, because we all saw that thing with the peahat.”

“It was the only way!”

And here goes the bickering, Twilight huffs. Wild and Hyrule get along like a house on fire, which means that it's warm and toasty for a while until everything collapse into ashes for a bit. Then they rebuild it better and stronger than before with perfect coordination. It's impressive, honestly, how they both push in the same direction without a second thought.

At least this doesn't look like he'll need to turn into a wolf to fetch them in a forest on the other side of a mountain like last time (he's still bitter about it, a mountain?).

“Pup,” Time's voice jolts him back into awareness. His mentor's standing right behind him. “Come with me for a minute?”

For a second, he hesitates. He likes to imagine a thousand explanations for it, but he already knows the one. Sky shot him the odd look during the fight. Saw him sloppier than usual. And Time keeps an even closer look on all of them.

The clearing is just far enough to be away from prying eyes, though not far enough they can't hear the others if they pay attention. Both sides could hear and rush at the first sign of trouble. It's a good place for a talk.

“Twilight,” Time begins, voice brimming with concern, “what's wrong?”

“It's...”

Silence lingers between them, with all the things Twilight can't say.

“Does it have anything to do about Malon's pregnancy?” Time asks, and Twilight cringes. “Ah. I figured as much. Are you bothered?”

Twilight fights the flashback to one of those evenings Rusl took him aside for a fatherly talk. He feels about as small as he did back then too. “No, of course not! It's... before, when I met Malon and saw you two didn't have kids, I realized you were safe. Every one of us is risking his life on this quest, but I could hold onto the idea that you'd live through, that it was impossible that you didn't because I'm here.”

“Were you not worried for my safety before this, Pup?” Time teases, a full on smirk on his face.

Twilight's face burns. “I, no, that's not it at all! It's just... Goddesses, I'm being silly.”

The hand that rests on his shoulder feels solid. Grounding. Like Time means to give him back some of that certainty through sheer force of will.

Twilight's relieved that it works on him.

“Pup, I promise I have no intention of dying and leaving Malon to raise our little hellion all on her own. I wouldn't do that to her.”

“Oh, right, the poor gal,” Twilight hears himself reply.

Time blinks. Then hooks his arm around Twilight's neck, an unholy glint in his good eye. “A youngster like you's too ignorant to mock your elders like this. But I suppose I should teach you.”

***

Time's few additions to the prank war ongoing inside their camps gives Twilight chills.

But he joins in the laughs with the rest of them.

And he almost forgets.

***

They have a lead on the object of their quest.

A location they must investigate. No guarantee, but reports seem promising.

It's hard not to get swept right in by his brothers' enthusiasms. He's found more family through this quest than he had ever hoped to get, but it's also been a mess of ambushes, lost directions and insufferable assholes (some of which, he loves because they're his pack, his siblings, his dad).

“I'll cut the fucker's balls right off!” Wind cheers, which gets nods from Legend and Wild, and winces from Sky and Warriors.

Twilight is more in the 'rip their throat out' camp, but he's also got a unique perspective on how to get personal with killing off your enemies.

(If their quest is to end, he will stand between any number of enemies so that his family returns home safe.)

***

The Temple of Souls.

A place of power, of memories. Deeds commemorated here. Statues of the various chosen heroes during their adventures. Honored and immortalized in stone.

Twilight hesitates before the one statue of a beast, and the imp riding its back. It's a testament to how much the other heroes helped him heal that he mostly feels nostalgia looking at his past. The pain, muted by Wild's enthusiasm or Four's more solemn amusement.

They search through the history of the Hero's Spirit together, with Warriors leading them. Their captain's light-hearted jester attitude's been replaced by his battlefield look. A strategist and a soldier, at the head of a battalion of legends. And yet, there's a tightness to his expression. Twilight gets why and he makes sure to stay close. The sorceress had been reformed, so this world's Zelda said. But the fear's longer lasting.

Time lingers near the statue of the Hero of Time. So do the others, with Warriors deciding to keep watch, since they clearly couldn't deal with the idea of Time having once been a child.

A little kid. Probably not even as tall as Colin or Talo. Twilight tries to imagine letting these two go on a quest to save Hyrule and his mind buckles in protest at the knowledge of what kind of monstrosities can crawl up from the darkest corners of Hyrule. Imagines them in the Arbiter's Ground, and he feels acute pain in his left hand, where he is gripping his sword's hilt so hard his knuckles turn white.

Hylia stole Time's childhood, but Twilight won't let her take his future.

***

They found the enemy.

It found them in return. Hyrule is the first to realize, and it's their wanderer's words that ring in their heads during the worst battle of their lives.

'Impaled by a shadow in my likeness. Everything I gave, he returned right back.'

Dark Link. The other side of the coin. The shadow of the Hero's Spirit, grown with each incarnation.

It is not an opponent for any one hero to take on anymore. Dark Link is the sum of every dark turns their minds have ever taken, every moment of fear, despair, anger. Every dirty trick. Every method of handling a sword. It reflects all nine of them, in turn and at once.

And it means that each one of them know a piece of Dark Link as intimately as the back of their hands.

The battle does not end quickly.

While most encounters with monsters last minutes at most and encounters with bosses sometimes stretch twice or thrice that, this battle goes on for what feels like lifetimes. There's not a thing Twilight knows that he doesn't see at some point in Dark Link's arsenal. He's forced to see his journey thrown back at him, and he only went on a single one.

(He loses both his shield and his sword midway through. Has to join in the sniping until that's destroyed. Breaks two more of Wild's weapons. Fought with fangs and claws till he desperately needed healing.)

They came prepared. Armed with every weapon they have. Overstocked with potions and blessings and fairies.

They're still all exhausted, wounded and little more than dead on their feet when Wild lands the apparent fatal blow with a shock arrow. Electricity dances on the shade, its face a mask of silent agony, and it stumbles, shape unsteady, and sinks back into nothing.

“Is it... is it over?” Wind asks, his shirt shredded and an ugly burn on his collarbone.

“Steady!” Warriors calls out. “It might be trying to trick us.”

They watch every corner of the room with the hard earned hatred of a difficult opponent. They're all on their last leg and they can't keep going much longer. The air's so thick with tension Twilight tastes it. His instinct's screaming at him. He knows, in his heart, that this is it.

(It might be why he looked.)

(None of the others have spent as much time as him watching shadows, longing for the way they might waver and twist and become a beloved companion.)

Time's shadow shouldn't be this inky black.

Time's grip on his sword is also looser than his shadow's.

Twilight breaks into a sprint.

For a long time, Twilight had no choice. No matter what, his old mentor couldn't die before he had children.

Somehow, he'd been naïve enough to find comfort in that. Since then, he's dreamed of Time holding his baby, happier than he had ever dared express before. The memories of years that aged his heart faster than his body no longer a burden in his quiet little corner of the world.

There still isn't a choice. Time must go back to his wife and child. Twilight won't accept any other outcome. He'll turn silly images conjured from his resting mind into rock solid visions of the future.

Time's shadow stands up.

Hyrule shouts a warning.

And the blade swings.

“TWILIGHT!”

The taste of copper washes over his tongue. Drips from the corner of his mouth.

He looks down. A blade's shadow is impaling him straight through the chest. And Dark Link's face splits into a savage grin. Triumphant.

Heat bleeds out of his wound too fast. Somehow, he's certain this isn't poison, or at least, the traditional kind. It's climbing up his limbs, through his torso, and squeezes as if it were the coils of a snake. There's something wild, uncontrolled to it. Malicious. Its embrace tightens. Tries to leave him helpless, paralyzed.

It's fine. More so than any other hero, he's used to darkness. Made it a tool for himself in the ways the others haven't dared. And he's suddenly so thankful for it. That it's him. His country doesn't need him anymore, not like Sky who needs to build it from the ground, not like Legend who can never step outside his doors without getting roped into saving another country, not like Hyrule who guards the secret of his royal family, not like Warriors who is working so damn hard to earn back trust and honor amongst his own, not like Wild who wants to serve his Zelda and pay back his past mistake.

He doesn't even have grand projects for the future, like discovering a new land with pirates, find a lost brother, or simply build a home with his wife.

He's just... a farmer who picked up a sword and had help at the right time. Even if he dies, he knows his friends in the resistance could still protect Hyrule in his stead. The kids can look after themselves and each other now. Queen Zelda has always been stronger than him. And Illia... he'll finally let Epona go back to her. He can only hope that will be enough.

Because here and now, he is needed one last time.

Dark Link snarls and grins and begins to pull back his sword.

Twilight's hand catches his wrist. Grips.

Dark Link flinches. Red eyes flickers between his wrist and Twilight's serene smile. The other hand lashes like a whip, dagger's shade aimed right at his face, but that one instead pierces through Twilight's palm. Closing fingers lock Dark Link's arm into place. Neither can escape the other now. For the first time, hesitation flashes on the doppelganger's face. Tilts into fear as it starts to struggle. Each movement is rough, violent and murder on Twilight's battered body. The thing's strength should scare him.

  Except Twilight learned to wrestle gorons for fun. He wins every time.

The others rally. He catches them rushing forward in the corner of his eyes.

It tries to slip inside his shadows, but Twilight remembers that trick too. He pulls back, welcomes the darkness and Dark Link's feet blur, fuse to the ground, to Twilight's own shadow. It's oddly fitting.

With a deadly chime, the biggoron sword sails over his shoulder and catches Dark Link's arm. It rams itself against Twilight, tries to stagger him, but his mentor's at his back now, and the battleworn heroes, his wronged family, repay their suffering with interest.

One skewering echoed eight times over. Every aspect of the Hero's Spirit stabbing at their inner darkness, fighting the demon that claimed their faults. It cannot escape this time. Its face shifts with every blow. From young to old to young again, a twin lost at birth. Bitter. Resentful. It's weak and faltering when at last, it becomes Twilight's.

With one last battle cry, Sky executes a point perfect great spin that slices straight through Dark Link's neck. Its head goes flying and dissolves before it hits the ground. The body remains longer. Some of it clings to Twilight, sinks into him. He might have worried about this eventually, but the black sword fades and his tunic become slick with blood.

Yeah... there's no coming back from that one.

Dark Mirrors had always been his greatest weakness. What set him on his journey, what broke him in the end, twice. He thinks... he thinks he managed to pick up the pieces well enough.

“Sorry, guys...” His attempt at a smile turn into a grimace of pain. “I don't think I can walk this off...”

“Hyrule! Heal him!”

Hyrule's corpse-like pallor is all the answer they need. The fight exhausted the last of his magic. He's still stumbling forward like he will put his own life into the spell if he needs it. Sky's the one to pull him back, looking sick.

Legend's bag is upturned over the floor, and three of them kneel amongst the items. Twilight notes with faint amusement that this time, their prickly veteran does not yell at them to be careful with his stuff. Rare items gathered through harrowing adventures just go flying on the sides, discarded as useless. He hopes none of them break. He'd hate that to be one of the last things Legend remember about him.

“Don't,” Twilight says, but it's too weak to get through his family's panic. “It's okay...”

Four, the one trying to help him stand, snaps at him. “Don't say that!”

“I-” His knees give out from under him. Four goes down with him.

“Twilight!”

The others snap their heads in their direction.

It takes one look at Time's face to realize what a fool he'd been. It's almost enough to make him regret it. But no, given another chance, he'd make the same decision over and over again.

“Please...” he tries to say, but it's lost in a gargle of copper and red.

The screaming worsens.

Will Time go to his grave with this on his mind? He can't. Twilight wants to beg him not to. Wants to explain. Free himself of the fear he's clung to for the months they traveled together. But his lungs refuse to cooperate, filling with blood. Every attempt to speak just pains him more and produces mere wheezes.

Not on my behalf, he thinks, a last jolt of strength going through him from frustration and fear and sorrow. He hates the knowledge he'll put his mentor to rest with false hope. That he'll move on, thinking that his training might save him from this fate.

(From Ganondorf, yes, always. Hyrule saved because of the old man. Always cursed not to be known for his heroism, wasn't he?)

High whistling notes edge the confines of his consciousness. Fast notes, frantic, played with the fervor of a dying man, and he almost chuckles thinking he has a much better understanding of this as darkness creeps on the corner of his eyes and heat leeches out of his wound.

He can't see Time anymore. Just vague outlines of all his brothers, the color of their cloaks and hair the best way he can distinguish them by now. Hands push down on his shoulders, lift him gently. Scarred hands. Strands of blonde hair tickle his face.

Wild.

“'M sorry...” he breathes out. Tears prick at his eyes, knowing how much this'll hurt his cub. His little brother who already bears the weight of so many deaths. “Not... f-f-au-lt. Swear,” he tries to sound stern, he really does.

He can't go to his grave otherwise. He'll stay alive just so Wild and Time and the others don't pick up the guilt.

Eh...

She did always call him an optimist.

He's probably in some dying dream, he sees hands the shades of her skin join Wild's, brush his hair away from his eyes. Liquid flames frame a face like hers. The mocking lilt of her voice is broken by a sob though. He's never heard that before.

He wishes he could stop the pain for all of them, but he's tired.

Maybe... maybe Hylia granted him that one last favor. Maybe it's just him and his stupid heart that won't heal right, that makes him see what's not there...

He doesn't have the strength to do more than believe anyway.

“Midna...”

Tender warmth brush over his lips, one last little balm before he goes. It's gentle. So unlike her, so like her too. Eh. He always imagined they'd be cold.

***

Wild sees Twilight's eyes close, and his world snaps in half.

His brother slips from his arms, but thankfully, the woman's grip on him is steady. Familiar. It makes Twilight look at peace, as if he was sleeping in his lover's lap. It's something he always wished for his big brother, from the moment he heard that joke about a princess and a mirror. To have someone who loved him worth the pain he'd gone through.

And he only gets it in death.

It can't end this way. It can't! Mipha! he grapples with the thought and it wins. “MIPHA! PLEASE!”

She'd healed him from the brink so many times. Twilight's even more of a hero than him, so it would only be fair, right? Just this once. Just this once. He can't lose someone else because of his incompetence!

But Mipha has long gone to rest, and no one disturbs their group of heroes from their loss.

Wild feels himself scrap at his old hood, pushes it down over his head. As if that would stop reality from sinking in. He can't look at Twilight's body. He can't. He just wants to wake up in the shrine, like nothing ever happened. Like he hasn't watched-

“It was you!” Warriors snarls at the woman, his tone as biting as a sword's kiss. “All this time! It was you that broke his heart! He said he lost you, but you just left, didn't you?! You could have gone back to him!”

The strange woman – Midna – finally turns away from Twil- from... she turns to Warriors. Tears trail down her cheeks despite the faintest hint of a smile. “I always hoped he would forget me, the sweet fool.”

It's spoken with the sort of affection in one of Twilight's hair ruffling, but the insult feels searing. Wind's on her the next second.

“Don't you dare call him that!” he howls in her face, the shout less intimidated by the snot and tears he can't hold in. “Don't you- Twilight's not- not...”

Somehow, Sky can move. He lifts Wind away from Midna. It breaks the teen's rage, and he curls into Sky's shoulders as if their chosen isn't crying himself.

“He was,” she says, and it strikes Wild that she is just like Twilight had said. Fierce. Powerful. And a bit cruel. Like a jewel barbed in thorns – even if she'd laugh at the description. “It could have been different, if he hadn't been who he was. But he would always make this choice. You know this.”

Memories come to Wild, unbidden, of days in his Hyrule, where the only one he could count on was himself and a wolf. Hordes chasing a beast whilst he picked them off one by one. Enormous monsters fell side by side with his friend. Cold nights buried in fur. Panicked barks getting closer to him as he struggled to stand in the middle of a battlefield.

Goddesses...

The music – when, who, had started, – breaks into a horrible screech that should never come out of an instrument. It's half scream. Half something shattering.

“Why isn't it working?!” Time croaks, hands trembling around his broken ocarina.

“That power was only ever borrowed,” Midna says as if every syllable costs her. “The price would be too high.”

Legend is the next one to move from sorrow to rage. “No! We'll do it again!” He kneels by his bags and he's tossing aside items by the dozens.  “We didn't come all this way for this!”

“You did,” Midna's voice falters. “And so did I. It was always meant to end like this.”

An horrible sinking feeling seizes Wild's heart. “You... knew?”

They freeze.

Midna looks down at Twilight's face and brushes a strand of hair away from his markings. “At the very end of our adventures, I was spared by the Goddess. Salvaged, maybe, from the ruins of forbidden power and the home of my dearest friend. Hylia spoke to me then. Told me.”

Wild sees her chest shudder before her voice breaks.

“Told me that Link and I would only be reunited on the day of his death. That I'd be the one to take his last breath. It was the only way Hyrule could be safe.”

“Fuck Hyrule!” Legend shouts, hoarse. “What is the point-? Every time! F-fuck this kingdom and fuck Hylia! What about us?! Why does she hate us so much?!”

Legend's arms fall to the sides, his grief spent. He stares at his feet and doesn't react when his successor hugs him tight. Warriors gets his other side.

Wild feels numb. He had done his best the first time around, to believe that Hylia wanted the best even when she let his Zelda suffer through her silence. He thought, maybe, her late answer had a purpose. But he can't figure it out. A kingdom she claimed to protect, destroyed before she helped.

His chest hurts. He can't breath right.

Ahead, the air tears with a jarring noise and a burst of black particles. He can't help the flare of hope they bring, the very same magic that Twilight used to become a wolf. But his brother's not moving. Midna's arm is raised toward the black portal.  

“No, no!” Time finally breaks out of his paralysis, reaching out for Twilight's body. “You can't take him!”

“I'm sorry,” she whispers. “I don't have much time left. I must bring him back to his village. I owe him that much.”

None of them stop her from walking back into the shadows, their lost brother in her arms.

***

The greatest threat to their world has finally been defeated. Months of hardship, over. The purpose for which Hylia assembled them, fulfilled. It should have been heralded by a feast, a last evening together before the final goodbyes. The weight of their mission should have been lifted, but now it won't leave them.

They try.

They find the seediest tavern, in the darkest corner of town. They are not looking for a celebration. They want to drown the sorrow in something less painful than grief, be it a bar fight, a hangover or a round of the bard's singing.

All eight of them around a table, nine drinks before them. A toast.

Unshed tears.

Stories. All those times Twilight played big brother to them. Tried to be the reasonable one even when he was smirking under his wolf pelt. Those games of cards he won the pants off Warriors, literally. Those times he teased Legend with his incomprehensible slangs (they'd never know what that one about goat horns mean, would they?). Those nights they woke bundled up under a wolf. Those days he would spend at their bedside, caring for injuries he sniffed out better than most.

They call up more drinks, left the ninth alone, and pour their soul into making themselves almost believe he was still alive. That Midna had taken his sleeping body back where he'd finally get to be in love with her.  

For the time of a few laughs, it works. Then they look at the empty seat.

“He died.” Time drops his head into his hands, smaller than they'd ever seen him before. “Twilight died, and I wasn't even holding him! I was playing that goddess-curse ocarina! He told me! He told me he would die for me and I didn't listen!”

“He would have died for any of us,” Warriors says, weakly. “Just like we would have died for him.”

At the end of the night, when they stumble out, unsteady, Wild picks up the ninth drink and empties it outside.

***

The arrow's tip strikes one eye and detonates.

Cracks in the stone spread a little further. But the statue is still standing. It waited for him when he came back. Here. The only thing still standing in the ruins of the temple. Where his first journey began.

He can't hear her voice as he did before. He has no crest to offer, no proof of his valor to receive a blessing. Even now, the thought makes him want to hurl. To carve out the gifts he'd received from the monster that parades as a goddess right out of his chest.

“Why?!” Wild screams at the unfeeling block of stone.

The damage reaches the statue's middle, and a chunk tears off. A piece of her cloak. Dust follows. He shoots another bomb arrow. Almost grins to see a piece of her hair fly off.

“Why? Why WHYWHYWHY?!”

Fingers close on air. He's emptied his quiver.

Glowing bomb runes materialize in his hands, and he can barely wait out the cooldown time between each new explosion.

He switches to a club.

“Why him?!” He wails at the stone. “Why was it him?! Why not me?!”

The shout drains the last of his strength. With a sob, he falls to his knees.

“You did this to him! You killed my brother!” he spits every inch of venom that's making his chest heave, that burns his eyes and that opened this gaping hole inside him. “Why did you do that?! You're supposed to be good! Everyone told me you protect Hyrule! But you don't! You just send the same mortal do your job over and over again! And now he's... he's DEAD! What's the point of you?!”

“Link!”

Zelda's voice.

It rubs his skin raw that she sounds so happy. She should be disgusted to see such a worthless hero! She should have left him to die in that field!

She stops by the broken entrance to the Temple of Time, her gaze flickering to the statue, to his sorry state. The ecstatic looks vanishes and a far more fitting sadness replaces it.

“Link...?”

For a frightening moment, he thinks he's going to hate her. Hate Zelda for what she represents. He thinks he won't be able to look at her without knowing what she is. That there'll always be a voice in the back of his mind telling him she shares her soul with the unfeeling thing that lead his brother to his death.

“What happened?” she asks, gentle.

“T-Twilight... he's... ”

The club hits the ground.

Zelda closes her arms around him, and he clings to her like she's going to disappear.

***

“It's a boy!”

The wisewoman presents the small squirming body to Time.

Wisps of strawberry blonde hair crown his son's mostly naked head. Not dark enough to be...

He banishes the thought from his head. It's unfair. It's cruel. He can't compare them. His son. His son, he repeats to himself when the little bundle shifts against the inside of his elbow. Malon was right. That button nose is far cuter than his.

He's perfect.

His heart is threatening to jump right out of his chest. He doesn't think he can express all the love he has for this little hylian boy properly. He doesn't think it's possible to love anyone that much. For years, he'd feared a pauper's grave, a hole on the side of the road. A monster getting lucky at last and no one to mourn him. And now he was holding his firstborn child.

Malon had pushed past that fear and the walls he'd built around his heart. Twilight had shown him without a doubt he could have a family.

Twilight had...

It could have been different. But he would always make this choice.

Always choose to save Time at the last possible moment. For Malon. For their son.

Time dabs the corner of his eyes, and loses himself in the feeling of his son's skin against his own. He's so lucky to be able to hold him. To kiss the top of his head. To look at the beauty of his wife and child together. He doesn't know if he deserves it. Doesn't feel like he does anymore. But he can't throw it away. The price was so high. He wants every moment spent well. A full life to shower his child with love, for all the children he might have on the ranch.

I promised you.

Twilight is his successor, his son. A strong, kind young man that died too soon for Time's mistake. If he'd been stronger, if any of them had been a little stronger, perhaps...

He's never resented the lack of recognition over his deeds so ardently before. Never felt the bitterness take root this deep. Everything he was, everything he did, forgotten, lost. Accounts of his deeds, his prowesses, gone. Sword techniques. Tricks. Items. Twilight had been a farmer before Hylia had pushed his fate onto him. How could his own descendant have nothing of Time's knowledge and treasures passed down to him? If he had...  

On the Triforce, he swears. He will pass on everything he knows to his children and his grandchildren after them, make them promise to perpetuate that tradition, so that Twilight might live longer. He couldn't fail him again.

He swears.

He will do anything to help Twilight survive their last quest.

In this world or the next.

[skiewrites]

it’s all downhill from here - Chapter Two

Fandom: Legend of Zelda, Linked Universe, Harry Potter (very loosely)

Rating: Teens and Up

Warnings: Some blood

Summary:

The first Hogsmeade weekend of the year is supposed to be one filled with excitement and mischief for every student at Hogwarts, even the first and second years who aren’t allowed to go down to the village.

Except of course, the group of heroes are involved, and nothing goes right for them.

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23111011/chapters/55296445

“Hyrule! Did you get us lost again!” Legend shouted at the person who was now leading the group, frowning when Hyrule shook his head.

“No, I swear it’s this way,” Hyrule said as he pointed in a seemingly random direction, before frowning and turning around, pointing in a completely different direction. “Tell a lie, it’s this way. C’mon.” he said as he ran ahead, Wild close on his heels and Warriors trailing behind.

“We’ve been walking for way too long. We should have been there by now” Legend moaned as he reluctantly followed the group. Warriors waited for a second so he could walk with Legend.

“Have you ever been there bunny boy?” He asked as he messed up the younger boy’s hair.

“No, but-”

“Then what would you know about the direction? For all you know we are going the right way and you’re just being a big baby about it.” Warriors laughed.

“So, you know the way to the shrieking shack?”

“Yep.”

“Are we going the right way?

“Not in the slightest.” Warriors replied with good cheer, which only made Legend even more mad, causing him to stop in his step to look at the elder in disbelief.

“Are you fucking serious Warriors? Now we’re lost in the middle of Goddess know where. I really should have gone with the others.”

“Hush you. We’re not lost, I know where we are, but the others want to explore, they’ll get there in their own time. If we go too far off-course, I’ll point them in the right direction.” Warriors said without a care in the world. “Anyway, I need to talk to you about something.” Legend frowned at that

“So, you lied about the Shrieking Shack being haunted just so you could talk to me? You could have just said you wanted to talk without lying about something you know.”

“Oh no, the shrieking shack is haunted, and weird things have happened to students that have tried to get close to the house, but it was just an easy way to get you alone.”

“It’s not like we’re actually alone though,” Legend pointed at the other two boys, who were now trying to climb a tree to see if they could find the shrieking shack so they knew which way to go, giggling each time one of them fell out of the tree. Little did they know that there was a tree that was perfect to climb right next to them.

“They’re not listening to us, and quite honestly, they don’t care what we’re talking about right now, they’re very focused on their task,” Warriors replied as they watched the branch that Hyrule was stood on snap, leaving the boy to fall back to the ground. Luckily for him, it was not very high up, but it did leave Wild in a fit of giggles and Hyrule covered in mud.

“What did you want to talk about then?” Legend asked, hoping to get it over and done with as soon as possible.

“You know what the hat was on about at the beginning of the year don’t you?”

“No, I don’t.” Legend was quick to respond, but perhaps too quickly if the look on warrior’s face was anything to go by. “He didn’t say anything but waffle this year, nothing that we can use to help us this year like previous years, if you could even call it help in the first place.”

“I don’t know, the look on your face said otherwise,” Warriors said, before crossing his arms in front of himself while Wild and Hyrule screamed excitedly about something in the background, of which Legend ignored. “You’re not thinking of running off any time soon, are you?”

“Of course not, I’m not stupid, the hat said it would be dangerous to go alone,” Legend replied hotly.

“Hmm. So, any particular reason why you have your bag packed, ready to go at a moment’s notice?” Warriors asked, causing all the breath in Legend’s lungs to disappear.

How did he know about that?

Before he could even think of a lie to tell Warriors, the others interrupted him.

“It’s this way!” Wild pointed to the pair before he and Hyrule set of running.

“I guess we should go after them before something bad happens, though they are going the right way for once,” Warriors said as he moved to catch up with the younger boys, but not without telling Legend one last thing, “If you’re worried about something, or feel like we should leave, then talk to me, or someone else in the group, before rushing off and doing your own thing. You’re not the only hero here, remember?”

Legend followed along in silence.

The Happy Mask Store was just as creepy as Time remembered.

The walls were still covered in masks, each of them staring into the very depths of Time’s soul, but he recognised none of them from his previous trips to the shop, which left him to wonder on how many the Happy Mask Man actually had in his collection, and to wonder how many of them he actually sold, or if he just gave them away to people who were in desperate need of them like he was back in his first year.

The ones that he was given were still sat at the bottom of his chest back in his dorm, except for one that rested in his bag, weighing him down during their entire trip. He had debated bringing it along with him, seeing as he would not have much use for such a mask in what was considered a safe environment, but after what happened over the summer he found himself saying ‘just in case’ a lot more than he was happy with. He had tried to give them back to the Happy Mask Man, but the guy refused, saying that he should keep a hold of them for when he wanted to trade one for another, or when he did have a use for them again.

If Time had the choice, he would never have to see a single mask again for the rest of his life, let alone use one.

But, they did have their uses, even if he didn’t like them.

Other than the masks that lined the walls, the Happy Mask Shop was barren. There was no other decoration for the customers, if he ever got any, to look at while they waited for the Happy Mask Salesman to come back from where he went, no windows to let in any natural light and no sign as to where the Happy Mask Salesman had disappeared off to, and when he would be back.

“Man, this sure is creepy,” Sky said as he took a closer look at one of the masks that was at his eye level. It was bright yellow with small pointed ears at the top, similar to a rabbit, with the ends carefully painted in black. There was no holes in the mask, making it impossible to see or speak or even breath out of, and if Time didn’t know how the masks worked he would of wondered why someone would by a mask like this, for on the surface it seemed that the mask could only be worn for a couple of minutes before having to be taken off again so that the user could breath. The face painted onto it was rather cute though, closed eyes that looked rather happy and an adorable nose that had been glued on. Time looked below the mask at the plaque to see if to could give an insight to what it was or what it did, but only got a name for it.

The Keaton Mask.

“Ah, are you interested in that one, Link? We can always do a trade, you know this,” Time tightened his jaw as he quickly turned around, not surprised to find the Happy Mask Man standing behind him, though Sky was, jumping kin surprise at the voice as his hand went for his wand, though Time stopped him from pulling it out completely and hexing the man. Magic never reacted very well when it came to masks.

“Not today, we’re here for something else,” Time said.

“Oh really! Whatever can I do to help a hero?” The man gushed, his smile growing larger on his face.

“I’m sure that you have been following the news about the impending war?” Time asked the man, who smiled back.

“Well, if you believe if Rumour Mill, there is no war going on!” the Happy Mask Salesman gave a delightful cheer at the news, leaving Time to roll his eyes. Over the last couple of years, the Rumour Mill had only inconvenienced the group, from telling lies about their adventures, spreading false information about the dangers in the world and outright denying the upcoming war. They tried to tell people that monster attacks were the lowest they’ve ever been and not at an all time high, pass off blood moons as a natural occurrence and that demons did not exist at all.

It was a shame that most of the population was happy to agree with the paper than think for themselves.

“And if you don’t believe the Rumour Mill?” Time questioned.

“Well, if you don’t believe the Rumour Mill, all you have to go off is the whispers,” The Happy Mask Salesman

“Whispers?” Sky muttered under his breath to Time, but the Happy Mask Salesman perked up at Sky joining the conversation.

“Why yes! Many things talk in this world, Hero of the Sky. Why just the other day a Sheikah Stone was telling me an interesting fact about things hidden underneath a well.” The Happy Mask Salesman paused for a second, as if knowing that Sky was about to interrupt him.

“But that’s not what we’re asking for-”

“Underneath a well?” Time asked, cutting Sky off in a fashion that was most unlike him.

“It was a marvellous piece of information, sounds right up your alley Link!” The smile did not fall from the Happy Mask Salesman, “But like Link said, that was not the real reason why you’re here, is it Link?”

“It’s not what was asked.” Time agreed.

“It is not, but I can say that the well in question is known by a professor, though what professor I could not say, they all look the same after a while,” The Happy Mask Salesman let out a laugh, though Sky wasn’t quite sure what the joke was supposed to be.

“You heroes should head back to the others soon, I believe that they will need you more than you need me,” the strange man said, before looking back at Time. “I believe you should trade masks, Link. The one you currently have on you will be no use to you I’m afraid, but I have one that will help you out if you so desire.”

“If you think that would be best,” Time agreed with the man, and dug through his bag to take out a mask that defiantly looked like it deserved to be in this shop. It had a roughly carved round head, but unlike the Keaton mask there was parts cut out of it for someone’s eyes and mouth. There was something about it though, that gave it an aura of terror. The happy Mask Salesman didn’t seem to feel this aura, and snatched it right out of Time’s hands, though he was happy to see it go.

“Now this is a mask I haven’t seen in years! Why, you must have been ten when I gave this to you.” The Happy Mask Salesman held the mask up to the light to further inspect it, and he nodded when it passed his inspection.

“Eleven.” Time corrected.

“Yes yes, now just wait here while I look for the mask I have in mind. It was created for you especially Link, so I’m sure you will enjoy it,” The Happy Mask Salesman went around the counter and to the back of the store, leaving Sky and Time alone.

“You actually use these masks?” Time nodded at question.

“Anyone can use the masks, but I wouldn’t recommend, as they’re quite uncomfortable. However, they can be quite useful in the right situation. though, some are more hassle than their worth,” Time replied.

“How do you even see out of some of them?”

Silence echoed around them for a minute before Time replied.

“I… don’t actually know.” Time said, stumped, which confused Sky even more. He had been using them since he was eleven, meaning that he had been using them for almost about seven years now, and he never thought to question how they work even once?

“Here it is!” The Happy Mask Salesman was back, and happier than ever it seemed, his smile cutting across his face, creating a wide trench where every single one of his pearly white teeth could be seen and counted, if Sky ever had the desire to do so.

“I call this beauty the Mask of Truth, and it is one of my greatest inventions. You will find this invaluable in the months to come.” He said, before moving his head to the side, as if thinking really hard about something, his smile faltering for a second before coming back with full force.

“I believe it’s time for you heroes to go, you are needed elsewhere now. But please! Do drop in when you have the time in the new year.” The two Hogwarts students blinked and found themselves outside of the store and on the door in front of them hung a sign.

Closed. Come back when you’ve found the Truth.

“That’s not terrifying in the slightest,” Sky said.

“You get used to it,” Time replied. “Let’s go and find the others.”

Four had gotten his book, Wind had gotten his sweets, and now it was time for Twilight to get his drink.

They had managed to get a booth that they could see the door, and therefore their friends when they decide to meet up with the group, but close enough to the roaring fire that the chill of the October day was able to leave their bones. The alehouse was as lively as ever, students filling most of the tables, but Twilight could spot the occasional group of locals that mutter underneath their breath about the latest gossip or the newest headline on the Rumour Mill, and there’s a group of teachers complaining about one thing or another.

It’s a sight that Twilight was familiar with. This was the fourth year that he had been able to visit Hogsmeade, and while the pub was not his favourite place, he could not argue with the somehow nostalgic feeling that the pub gave off. Sure, he had nothing like this back in his village, the only alehouse being an inn filled with the occasional traveller and men who had finished their work for the day, but something about it screamed security, something about the fire roaring in the background filled him with warmth only being at home could do and the children giggling in the background brought up memories of chasing after the forest children when he was young enough to believe in them.

Then why did everything feel like it was about to fall apart at any moment?

“You feel it too?” Twilight looked at Wind, who was looking though the jellybeans that he had brought, frowning slightly at a lime green one before popping it into his mouth, his face scrunching up in surprise and disgust at the taste. Next to him Four was already deep into his book.

“It’s like everyone’s pretending that the moon isn’t going to fall tomorrow when they all can see it’s smiling face staring at them,” Twilight said.

“That’s oddly specific,” Four said without looking up from his book.

“So, when Time talks about fighting the moon it’s a joke but when I mention it is ‘specific’?” Twilight asked before taking a large sip of his drink. While Noble Pursuit was his favourite in the summer, there was nothing that beat a warm ale when winter was approaching their doorstep.

“There is no way that Time has fought the moon,” Four said with total conviction, like a sane person would be if they has not in fact watched Time fight the Moon, as he quickly scribbled a small note in the margins of his new book in pencil.

“Wait, Time has fought the moon?” Wind asked with childlike wonder, and Twilight was suddenly reminded that this kid was twelve. Twilight couldn’t remember what he was like at twelve, though he was sure that Time would happily remind him if he asked, but he could never remember being that carefree at that age, not after his ‘adventure’ with Midna the summer before his second year.

“You’ll have to ask him,” Twilight said with a smile, much to Four’s annoyance. Four started to speak up again, probably listing every single reason why having a fight with the moon is impossible, the door to the alehouse swung open, catching Twilight’s attention. He had hoped it was one of the others, as he was sure that they would help back him up in his claim, only to rifle Four up a little bit more.

It wasn’t one of the others, but it was someone who recognised.

Diving underneath the table, Twilight could only hope that Four and Wind’s shout of surprise wasn’t enough to catch the

“What the fuck Twi-”

“Shhhh!” Twilight hushed, cutting Four off. “Don’t look under the table, just pretend I’m not here,”

“What, Why?” Wind asked.

“It’s Zant!”

“Fuck.”

[inkedmyths]

Bamboozled again! Actually wait no this is the first time

Because I once again got going in the headcanon chat and had to write this out-

@linkeduniverse shenanigans ahead

Summary: So who were the first two to meet? Time and Warriors. How does that go? About how you would expect.

"Are you sure about this, hun?"

Link bit his lip as he looked into the worried eyes of his wife. Her brows were knitted together, and she searched his face with concern.

"You know I hate leaving. It's just... something's wrong." Very wrong. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he concentrated again. "I'm not sure what exactly, but I have to investigate. If it's a problem..."

"Ya have ta do somethin' about it, I know." Malon, bless her, smiled at him. It carried a sadness, but it was encouraging. "Always the Hero. Promise me you'll be careful, Link?"

"Of course darling." He leaned in for one last kiss. "If all goes well, I won't be gone for that long." If all doesn't go well, I may never come back, he thought. He pushed that nasty thought away, forcing a smile onto his face. He said his last goodbyes to his beloved before setting off down the road. She waved him goodbye, watching him go until he disappeared behind a hill.

It had been a long time since he'd gone travelling in full armor, much less this particular set. He carried all of his best gear, which may have been overkill, but he couldn't be too sure what he was dealing with. It could be nothing... but he doubted that. His instincts told him otherwise, carrying a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. A feeling he hadn't felt since...

The masks felt heavy in his bag, despite them not weighing anything due to its magical properties. Memories he'd tried hard to forget resurfaced, and his hand drifted to the ocarina at his waist. Shaking his head, Link forced himself to focus on the present. Where was the disturbance coming from? He paused and focused for a moment. The woods to the left felt off.

He left the path, tromping through the underbrush. More memories swirled about his head of a distant and short childhood spent underneath the canopy of trees. Too short a childhood, really, but he brushed that aside. Birds twittered among the branches. Not too much could be wrong if they were still here-

A crash up ahead startled him out of his thoughts. His hand drifted up, ready to draw his sword if necessary. Swearing followed the noise, something which for some reason seemed to reverberate through him for a moment.

Well. Perhaps this was the answer to what he was looking for? He walked forward to investigate.

---

Link was having a bad day.

For one thing, he'd woken up with the worst hair day. It took him almost forty-five minutes to get his hair to lie properly, and even then one little piece was sticking up just wrong. By the time he got around to getting breakfast it was cold and they'd run out of bacon. He tripped over his own foot and nearly fallen down the stairs. Then someone spilled coffee on his scarf, which immediately had to go and wash before it stained.

To top it all off now, there was evidence of temporal issues happening again. No evidence to what was causing it. Just that something was happening. If it was Cia again, even though she should have been taken care of completely, he was going to scream.

Overall, a very bad day.

These were the thoughts that ran through Link's head as he stomped along his way.

He tried to calm himself down, if just a little bit. Breathe, in, out. "Get yourself together Link. You are the Hero of Warriors, Captain of the Royal Guard. You can handle all of this. That's why they sent you to investigate. "

He continued like that for a while, wrapped up in his thoughts and problems. If he'd been paying attention to his surroundings, he would have noticed he'd crossed into a forest where there shouldn't be one. He also would have noticed the sudden steep incline.

But he didn't, and yelped as his foot went down farther then he thought it would. This may have been just fine, but he then slipped on a patch of mud and fell. He rolled, crashing through the shrubbery down to the bottom of the hill.

He groaned, then followed that up with some rather nasty words. Pushing himself up, he spat a leaf out of his mouth. Now his hair was definitely messed up again, not to mention full of dirt and twigs.

Today was the absolute worst.

---

Choosing each step carefully, Link slowly inched into a small clearing ahead of him. What he saw was... not exactly what he was expecting.

It was a young Hylian man, whom it looked like had just fallen down a somewhat steep incline. He cycled through several observations about him: firstly, the brilliant blue scarf looped around his neck. Secondly, the fact that he was wearing armor. And third, the fact that he was swearing with the proficiency of someone who was well practiced with the art.

Aside from those observations, there was something about this man that felt... odd. Almost familiar, while also being foreign and strange. Who was he, and what was he doing here?

---

Link brushed off his tunic as he stood up. He muttered a few last insults directed at the very existence of the hill, before standing up straight. Then he heard the snap of a twig behind him, and he whirled around.

He wasn't sure exactly what to make of the man before him, except that he was obviously a warrior. His heavy armor gleamed in the sun that filtered through the trees. One blue eye studied him carefully, while the other was closed, a scar over it suggesting it was no longer functional. Strange tattoos marked his face in red and blue, giving him a fierce look. Not that he needed it. He was already an imposing figure.

Noting the huge sword on his back, Link let his hand drift towards his own. He shifted slightly, preparing to go into a battle stance if necessary.

---

The young man seemed as wary of him as Link was. He wasn't sure what that implied, but he figured he should try speaking before fighting. "Hello, stranger. What brings a young man such as yourself to this neck of the woods?"

The other Hylian blinked. "Business," he replied carefully.

That explained nothing, only raising more suspicions. "What sort of business?"

---

He wasn't attacking. Yet. Link didn't want to let himself be lulled into a false sense of security only to be attacked, so he stayed on guard.

"Royal guard business." That usually shut people up.

---

That was the first real weird thing. Link's eyes narrowed slightly. "Really? What does the guard want that's in a forest in the middle of nowhere?" As he said this, he reexamined the man. While he could tie some aspects of his outfit to the Guard, he didn't look like the soldiers he knew. An imposter? Or something more a little voice needled in the back of his head.

---

"Wait, forest? In the middle of nowhere?" For some reason it hadn't occurred to Link that he was in a forest until that moment. A forest which definitely shouldn't have been there. "Well shit. I guess this is the fucking anomaly."

---

Now that surprised him. The last thing Link had been expecting him to say. "Anomaly?"

The young man turned slightly red. "Shit, did I say that outloud?"

He ignored that comment. "Is that why you're here? Investigating the anomaly?" If that was the case...

---

Link blinked slightly. The man seemed to be taking this in stride. Was he the source of the problem.

"Well... yes." He watched him closely for his reaction.

"I am as well." The man scanned the surrounding area. "Perhaps I could help you."

That... wasn't what he was expecting. This man was investigating as well? He must be a local of this dimension, or point in time or... whatever. That explained his presence, at least somewhat.

"I mean, if you want," Link said, trying to play things cooly nonchalant. "What's your name?"

The man blinked once. "Link."

Oh fuck.

---

The scarfed Hylian turned pale, then groaned. "Oh my fucking god Hylia you can't be serious. This isn't happening. Not this shit again."

Link blinked. He had expected surprise, maybe awe. Not... whatever this soldier was doing.

"Fuck me, fuck this, and fuck these goddamn timelines and incarnations or whatever this shit is." The young man was moaning into his hands.

Hang on. Timelines?

"... I'm almost afraid to ask, but may I inquire as to the reason for your reaction?" He was met with a very familiar expression. It was the expression he'd seen in the mirror that morning when he'd sensed the disturbance. He braced himself for whatever he was about to hear.

---

He forced himself to take a deep breath. He can do this. This is fine. "Okay, please don't freak out or anything, but that's my name too. You're another Hero, right?"

The man, the other Link, had about the kind of reaction he was expecting. Shocked, he nodded, seemingly at a temporary loss for words.

"Alright. So, we are both," he gestured between them, "incarnations of Courage. From either different points in history, or from alternate Hyrules. For whatever goddess forsaken reason, something screwed up the timespace continuum, so now we are in the same place. You with me?"

---

He processed this for a moment. Another Hero of Courage? Okay, sure, why not? Would explain the odd familiarity if they sort of shared a spirit. "Alright. I think I've got it."

The other Hero looked surprised. "Really? Okay, okay, cool. Makes things a little easier."

He tipped his head to the side. "This has happened to you before?"

"Unfortunately yes. However the bitc- I mean, the person that caused it last time shouldn't be the cause this time, so I haven't the foggiest as to how it's happening now."

"Hm." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I'm not sure myself. I simply felt a disturbance in the continuum and set out to investigate."

"You sensed it?"

He nodded. "I suppose it's an ability that comes with being the Hero of Time."

The other Hero blinked, somewhat surprised. He seemed to get over it quickly, though. "Alright then, Time- can I call you that? It's far easier than saying 'Link', for obvious reasons."

"Fine by me. How about you, young one? What's your title?"

"Young one? What are you, my dad? Anyway, I'm the Hero of Warriors, so I guess that makes me Warriors. I can live with that."

Dad, huh? Well, he guessed he was getting to be that age. Or was he already that age? Didn't matter.

"So then, Time. You 'sense' any other disurbances?" Warriors looked at him expectantly.

He paused a moment, concentrating again. One ear twitched. "Not exactly, but my instincts are directing me that way." He gestured somewhere to the right.

"Alright. So I guess we head in that direction."

"We?"

"I mean, you said you were investigating the disturbances, right? And two Heroes are better than one.

Time chuckled. "I suppose you have a point."

"Of course I do. Now let's get going! The sooner we get this done the sooner I can take a shower." Warriors marched off.

Time chuckled once more. This Hero seemed rather brash, but he suspected he meant well overall. At least this meant neither of them would be fighting alone this round. He followed the scarfed blond into the trees.

And so the first two met and were on their way.

[anotherlifefic]

Chapter 16: Bad Timing

The royal doctor's office was lavishly decorated, but not as much as the other parts of the castle I had seen thus far. And there was a quite deep pool of water on the northern end of it, close to the window. For a moment, I was confused by that, until I saw the doctor. She was a Zora woman with a kind and gentle face. Had I been forced to guess, I would have said she was middle-aged, judging by the slight wrinkles around her nose and forehead. She quickly rose from her seat when she saw me enter. „What's the matter?“, she asked, her tone slightly startled. The maid spoke for me as she lowered me on one of the chairs in the room. „Her Highnesses' esteemed guest, Mistress Rebecca, woke up with nausea and dizziness. I found her in her bathroom after she threw up.“ „Nausea and dizziness?“ The doctor raised her technically non-existent eyebrows. She then pulled her chair closer to the one I was sitting on and sat down, looking at me. „I will have to ask you some questions. Please answer them truthfully.“ „Of course“, I replied, wondering why she thought I would lie to her. „Okay. Did you eat anything unusual yesterday? Anything that might have been spoiled without you knowing?“ I tried to recall anything I ate the day before. „Not that I'd know of. The pantry in my home has a place where blue fire burns to keep the food fresh, you see?“ The doctor nodded in acknowledgement. „Did you go on any journeys in the past two weeks, to any place where you might have been exposed to any kind of illness?“ „About a week ago, I travelled to LonLon Ranch for my wedding. But everyone there seemed perfectly healthy.“ „Hmhm“, the doctor commented. „And when did you have your last period?“ I blushed and lowered my head. But then I thought about it a bit, and my head snapped up. „About six weeks ago.“ Now, the doctor leaned forward. „Is it possible that you might be pregnant, despite not having been married at the time of conception?“ My heart began to race. I wanted to have children with Link, but the timing couldn't have been worse. „Yes. I shared the bed with my husband several times before we officially got married.“ The doctor smiled. „Congratulations, then. I'm sure your husband will be happy.“ I placed a hand on my belly, as if I could already feel the little life growing inside of me. Would he be happy? After all, with this, there was one more concern for him while he really should be concentrating on saving Hyrule. The doctor returned to her desk. „I will give your assigned maid a herbal tea for you. That should help with the nausea and dizziness. Try to avoid stress as much as you can. Short walks in the royal garden might prove beneficial to you and your child, but do not over-exert yourself. And make sure that your clothes keep you warm enough. If you feel yourself become tired, take a short break and then return to the guestroom. Oh, and you might want to keep a bucket next to your bed, just in case.“ „I will“, I said and stood up, staggered a little, and then gave her a slight curtsy. „Thank you for your time.“

I returned to the guestroom after that, sitting down on the bed and staring at the ceiling and stroking my stomach. Now that I had the chance to calm down, the reality of the situation began to sink in. I was pregnant. Link's child was growing inside of me. I looked over to the nightstand, where a tray with food had been left for me. My breakfast. There was a nice selection of foods one couldn't normally buy on it. The bread was lighter and fluffier than any bread one could buy in the city, and it came with slices of meat and cheese of the highest quality. Princess Zelda really made sure that her guests were taken care of. But my stomach was still way too upset for me to eat anything, even though I was also very, very hungry. A little later, the maid came in, carrying a slightly smaller tray with a teacup filled to the brim with the herbal tea. „There you go, Mistress. Drink up.“ I smiled. „Thank you. And I'm sorry for startling you earlier.“ „Oh, do not worry about that, Mistress.“ She smiled and placed the small tray with the tea on a table close to the window, before leaving. I got up and sat down at that table, taking tiny sips of the tea as I was looking out the window to the road. Some day, no matter how far off that would be, Link would come riding up that road. And I... no, WE would be waiting for him. I tried to imagine his face when I told him the news. Would he be happy? Worried? Maybe both. My gaze wandered farther, across the rooves of the city to Hyrule Field, where LonLon Ranch was. I felt a pang of sadness as I thought of Malon. Oh how I wanted to have her with me right now... she would know how to cheer me up. Judging by how far the sun had risen by now, she was probably already done with her morning chores and was now taking a break, eating cheese and bread and drinking milk. I wondered if she was thinking of me. Maybe I should write her a letter, I thought. But I couldn't go down to the city to send it from the post office, and I did not want to bother any of the royal couriers. They had more important messages to deliver than mine. I felt much better once I was done with the tea, and so I decided to take a little walk in the castle gardens, like the doctor had told me.

I asked one of the servants to take me to the garden. It was autumn now, and the leaves on the trees were all shining in bright shades of red and yellow as I walked in between neatly groomed bushes. The guards patrolling the garden had been informed of my presence, so they acknowledged me with polite nods, but did  not pay much attention to me otherwise. In spring, this garden must have been even more beautiful than it was right now. Still, I felt a deep calm fill me as I walked over the paths to a small part where obviously few people besides the gardeners ventured. It was just as well maintained as the rest of the garden, and yet seemed a little more humble. The small garden was enclosed by the castle walls on three sides, with the only open one being the one through which I came in. Along the walls was a small stream, and in the middle was a flowerbed with bright asters and chrysanthemums. On the wall opposite to the entrance, a platform led up to a window through which one could watch what was going on in what I assumed to be the throne room, judging by what little I could see of it. Then my gaze was drawn to the figure sitting on the stairs of the platform. Fine clothing, and long blonde hair. Princess Zelda. I was about to turn around and leave, feeling like I had stumbled into a place I really shouldn't be in, when she noticed me. „Rebecca.“ I turned to her and curtsied, as always. „My apologies, Your Highness. I accidentally ended up here while taking a walk; I did not mean to bother you.“ It was odd to see the noble Princess sit on the stairs like a normal woman from the city. She smiled and patted the spot next to her. „Come, sit down with me.“ I slowly walked over to her and sat down, making sure to sit on the cloak I had wrapped around me so I wouldn't get too cold. „I was just taking a break from my duties. Call me irresponsible, but I always insist on taking at least a one hour break every day.“ „Understandable“, I replied. Princess Zelda looked over to the flowerbed. „Beautiful, aren't they?“ „Yes, very much so, Your Highness.“ We were both quiet for a moment. „Your maid told me that you had to go see the doctor this morning. Is anything amiss?“, she politely inquired. I blushed and lowered my head. Hadn't the maid told her? „I'm... I'm pregnant.“ The Princess let out a soft, but audible gasp. „Pregnant? Are you quite sure?“ „As sure as I can be.“ Again, I put my hand on my belly. „I'm honestly not sure how to feel about it. Sure, I'm happy, but...“ „I understand“, Princess Zelda said and gently put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. „These are scary times.“ There was conflict in her eyes as she looked at me. A strange mixture of resignation and... pity? „I'm so sorry“, she told me. „So... so sorry.“ I looked at her with my mouth open in surprise. „Your Highness.. what are you apologizing for?“ She sighed and looked at the flowerbed again. „I'm sure that by now you already guessed that I also have... feelings, for Link. Feelings I cannot act upon. As the Princess, I have certain duties, and one of them is to pick a spouse who would have the ability to really help me with governing the country. And Link... He's a warrior, not a politician. He's used to fighting and travelling. And he wouldn't be happy being confined to the castle, having to deal with nobility.“ She buried her face in her hands. „But I couldn't stop thinking about him. So I thought... maybe if he were married to another, and thus completely unavailable to me, I could finally get him out of my head. So I pushed him to rush into marriage, despite the better judgement of everyone involved.“ She sniffled. I found myself reminded of the many times Malon had to comfort me after a fight with my parents when I was still a child, so I did what Malon had done back then as well: I hugged her. „Please don't cry, Your Highness. I do not blame you for what you did, and I'm sure Link won't, either.“ She accepted the hug, and leaned her head against my shoulder. „You must think that I'm so pathetic.“ „Not at all“, I assured her. „I understand how your heart aches, Your Highness. I'm the one who should be sorry; I never meant to hurt you... or anyone.“ „Of course you didn't.“ She sighed. „Thank you for listening to me. I really needed to get this off my chest. When Impa was still around, I would talk to her about things like this, but now... well, up until now, Link was my only confidante.“ Then she smiled at me. „That might be sudden, but I have come to consider you a friend, Rebecca.“ „Really? That's very kind of you, Your Highness...“ „Zelda“, she said. „I don't like it when friends use my title. Just call me Zelda.“ „Zelda“, I repeated, as if I was sampling the taste of her name on my tongue. She chuckled. „Just like that. And this child...“ Her hand wandered to my belly. „If they are anything like their parents, I'm sure they will have a lot of friends, as well.“

In the following days, I took a lot of walks; always at the same time, so Zelda and I could meet up in the garden and talk. She told me about the seven years she spent disguised as a boy named Sheik, and how she helped Link in his quest. In turn, I told her about my childhood in the city, how much I missed working on the ranch, and how worried I was about Link. During one of these talks, she told me:„I just had the kitchen staff order some milk from LonLon Ranch. Malon should deliver it in two days. Who knows, maybe she'll take some time to talk to you.“ I grinned and hugged Zelda. „Thank you so much!“

[saiyuri-dahlia]

Day One: Honor

Volink Week II

Disclaimer: I don't own HW.

Rating: T

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Day One: Honor

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Knocked to the checkerboard floor, Volga quickly sat up and snarled at the sorceress Cia, who was very more alive than the last he knew. His wrists were shackled together behind his back and his fleshrender fang remained on the battlefield but he was otherwise unharmed. Cia had brought him to the Temple of Souls, seemingly with the intention to place him right under her power and proceed onward with her charge, with or without an army to advance.

Cia demanded his servitude. Call it honor or call it pride, for either Volga refused kneel before her.

“What does a snake like you know of honor?” Cia said, rhythmically tapping the rod of her spiked staff against her hand as she sashayed toward him. “You disobeyed my last orders, lost yet again to the Hero, and then you defected to our enemy forces. You're no better than the ring.”

“And yet here I am, snatched mid-battle to fight for you once more in a war I wanted no part in,” Volga said, remaining calm for now, much as he despised being compared to the slimy ring ghoul. “But even as your magic waned, I had stood by you while Wizzro connived to cut your throat. I served you loyally until the very end.”

Cia paused in her step. “The end?” she said, raising an eyebrow. “My war is not over. You still fight for me.”

“No, I don't,” Volga insisted.

“How?” she sputtered, as she pulled the magic-infused chain that transformed her staff into a mace tight between her hands. “How are you not a traitor?”

“Because you were dead,” Volga said, rising to his feet. “I was defeated, Wizzro abandoned you to the dark king and took with him the strong-arm of your forces. You had nothing left and you died. Face it, witch. You lost. After that, I was free to choose my allegiance and I did.”

Cia scrunched up her face into a mess of wrinkles and bared her teeth. “No, 'til the day you die, you serve me,” she said, pointing the head of her staff at him. “I haven't lost yet. I can rebuild my army a thousand times over if I must!”

Briefly, the dragon knight closed his eyes and released his held breath. “Do what you will,” Volga said and turned to leave. “I will have no part in it.”

“Willingly or not, you will fight for me!” Cia lashed at him. The spiked gateway orb topping her staff slammed into the side of his helmet. His head jerked to one side and he stumbled in his step but otherwise he was more annoyed than harmed. Now if only his helmet ringing in his ears would stop...

Slowly, he turned his head and peered over his shoulder. “It's no longer your war we fight,” he spat bitterly, “and I will not fight the dark king alongside you.”

“So you would choose Zelda over me? How very heroic of you,” Cia said, smiling without an ounce of humor. “Never would I have thought you would believe her drivel about being a noble, honorable warrior… You see what she did, right? Charmed you with praise, told you what a good dragon you were until you rolled over and let her rub your belly. I bet her words weren't so sweet after the Hero nearly split your belly in two.”

Cia's account wasn't incorrect. It had been the royal whelp's words that gave him the clarity to expel the witch's dark power from his body and mind. Link defeated him soon after and Volga had been winning up until then.

“But I am a proud dragon warrior, not a sellsword for darkness…” He sounded far less sure of himself than he usually did. Actually he sounded far less sure of himself not even seconds ago. From where did this doubt sprang from?

Cia gazed back at him, her eyelids half-raised. “You're nothing more than an exotic pet to her. I offer you power, freedom,” she said, a slick, silky purr slipping into her voice. “Remember how good it felt.”

Volga breathed in and felt his deep lungs swell with a potent dark smoke. The sear of fire and the taste of iron-rich blood slid across his tongue and coated his mouth. Slowly, he breathed out. Tendrils of smoke curved over his lips and washed over his nose. Like a strong mystery seed ale, the wave of dark power surged straight to his head, rendering him dizzy.

Volga grinned wickedly. “You think I serve Little Miss Majesty?” His deep chuckle rumbled low in his chest. “For centuries, the Royal Family condoned, even campaigned dragon killings to allow the Gorons to expand their mines for a cut of their resources. I have no issue with incinerating the queen if need be.”

“Then what's your problem?” Cia asked and stood with her hands on her hips.

All might and arrogance draining from his face, Volga tilted his head down and scowled.

“Speak, Volga,” Cia ordered and snapped her fingers.

The dragon knight refused to answer and continued shrouding his grim face beneath his helmet's shadow. All the while, Cia's anger spiked.

“The boy...” he grumbled at long wait and repeated behest. “It would anger him.”

The dark witch scrunched up her face in confusion. “The boy? What boy are you talking—” A bolt of realization sent her reeling. “Link?”

Volga turned his head to the side, which was as much as yes to Cia than an outright spoken yes. He did his best to avoid looking at any of the witch's endless number of portraits of Link adorning her personal shrine room. Only the black and white checkerboard floor was safe.

Holding her hand above her mouth, Cia cackled like a noblewoman. “A dragon with a crush, oh my...” she said. “Lie low, Volga. That's the farthest you'll ever get to him.”

Oh, how little she knew… “So it's true then,” he said.“You can't actually see the future. You can only stand aside and watch it unfold around everyone but yourself.”

Cia was not amused. “Now what are you prattling on about?”

Volga's smirk was insufferably self-satisfied. “The Hero doesn't choose you or Zelda this time.”

“How dare—” Cia sputtered as her hands twisted and wrung the neck of her staff. “Straighten your forked tongue, serpent!” With a raise of her staff, a wave of dark purple energy oozed out from her and billowed up around her. It shimmered and fluttered like a heat mirage and showed Volga visions of the suffering and near deaths he faced.

With a single flourish of her staff, Cia directed a burst of dark energy at Volga. Dark power enveloped the dragon knight and infused itself into every cell of his being. He heard the witch's voice echoing from every recess of his mind. Fear me. Love me. Serve me.

Volga was a proud dragon warrior. Being the strongest was all that mattered to him.

Fear me. Love me. Serve me.

Power coursed through his veins. He stumbled back in awe of himself. Why did he ever let the royal whelp convince him to purge himself of his mistress's power?

Fear me. Serve me.

Nothing could kill him now. He could set Hyrule ablaze and there would be no one who could stop him. Not even the boy.

Fear me. Love me.

He could crush him. He had been so close the last time.

Fear me. Love me. Serve me.

All Volga had ever wanted was a worthy challenger. He had found everything he wanted and more in Link. Thanks to all the training and sparring he had done with the boy, Volga was not only stronger than he was that day but he knew how the Hero fought.

Fear.

Why was Volga afraid to face the boy in battle once more? With his mistress's power, he could incinerate the boy without a second thought if he really wanted to… But no, Volga would face him and give the Hero a chance to prove himself on equal footing to Volga's level before the dragon knight crushed him, with all of the boy's allies and his mistress watching.

Fear.

Screaming and shaking in rage, Volga fought against his shackles. He pulled and strained with all his might to bend his metal bonds and free his hands. The dark power pushed his muscles beyond their limit, beyond the pain. For some reason, he couldn't bear the thought of losing the boy.

Serve.

If he kept this power, he wouldn't lose. If he just listened and obeyed his mistress, the boy would be for such a shock. He'd wipe that ridiculous grin of his clean off.

Fear.

Now he was being ridiculous. Sure, his mistress wanted him alive, if at all possible, but that still didn't explain to Volga why he was afraid to put his hands on Link?

Love.

He hated that giant, beaming grin of his. He hated how ridiculous it made him look, and how he always flashed that grin after their every battle or spar, and how it reminded Volga that behind his might and chosen status, there was a young man with a good, noble heart the dragon knight was honored to follow and call friend.

He hated that grin because it made him love him even more.

Volga's searing red aura began to cut through Cia's dark magic.

“Command me all you want. I won't obey.” Giant blue-tipped white flames burst forth around Volga and expunged every last bit of darkness from his mind and body. His fire also melted his shackled clean off his wrists. “Not again. Not ever.”

Arm raised to guard herself, a horrified Cia stared wide-eyed at Volga engulfed in fire.

“The boy…I see why you fell for him. He is remarkable. Never had I known such a warrior existed among humans. I suppose I have you to thank for bringing us together.”

Brought back to her senses at the mention of Link and then flung right back beyond reasoning with again upon being reminded that he was not hers and that he would never love her, the witch plunged her very soul into empowering her magic. Her magic raised her into the air and she hung in place. Dark tendrils of magic sprung forth from the magic circle below her and entangled around her before sinking under her skin.

“You will serve me and you will bring the Hero to me!” she ordered. “Then I'll kill you and then I'll kill everyone and he'll have to love me!”

Volga breathed a bullish snort in disgust. “You think that cheap boost will persuade me to your side now?” he said before knocking Cia's staff out of her hand with a swift sweep of his transformed dragon arm. “Link gave me back my honor. He made me stronger.”

The dragon knight roared, sending forth a flare of energy that propelled Cia across the room and slammed her flat against the doors.

What he mistook for the flames crackling by his ear was the sound of the doors behind him opening. Running forth ahead and placing himself in front of Volga, Link stood battle-ready with his sword drawn and shield raised. When he finally noticed Cia laying crumpled on the floor, Link looked back at Volga. The boy then lowered his sword and shield as he gawked in awe at his massive flaming aura. Volga couldn't help but smile at the wonder and admiration glistening in the Hero's big blue eyes.

In time, Link asked the dragon knight if he was all right.

“Yes, I am well,” he said, dispersing his aura and extinguishing his flames. “...I see you came to rescue me. While I appreciate the gesture, you need not to worry about me. Nothing can harm me.”

Volga stood proud with his head and chest held high. In joy and celebration, Link jumped and threw his arms around the dragon knight's neck. He tottered a bit before regaining his balance, as Link puckered his lips out like a duck and tried to land a kiss, all the while kicking his feet to gain momentum in hopes of helping him reach Volga's mouth.

Volga sighed as if he was annoyed by Link's behavior but he really wasn't. “All right, you silly boy,” he said with a smirk as he held Link by the hips and lifted him up for a kiss. Their lips parted with a satisfying pop. “There. You should feel honored.”

At his audacity, Link stuck his tongue out and playfully kicked at Volga.

“How...” Cia groaned as she raised her stiff body off the floor and sat up. “Why?”

“Why not?” Volga replied and then he and Link looked back at one another and shared a smile.

Utterly perplexed, Cia stared back at them and blinked her eyes rapidly.

Link asked Volga if he was ready to leave, on account that this place gave him the creeps.

“It always bothered me too,” he said as he put Link down. “But yes, we should head back.” Leaning forward and bending his knees, the dragon knight told Link to climb on and grab hold.

“Don't wave goodbye at her,” Volga snapped at Link, as he put his arm down and grinned sheepishly in apology.

“Idiot boy...” Volga grumbled before dashing out of the room. In a flash of sparks and ash, Volga shifted into his dragon form and leapt into the air, taking flight.