#lu four x shadow

[weepingtalecowboy]

Shadow has canonically disguised himself into Zelda

Fanfic prompt: Considering how much shadow x four is present in the fandom

People could have the opportunity to do the most unhinged things

Like if Wind is four's descendant

And he is together with shadow

What does this imply about their relationship in the near future

It’s not made easy by the fact that wind has dark eyes

Extreme strength and magic stamina (his canonical skull hammer and his magic arrows)

AND he is a little shit

Like the sheer emotional dread and damage that four would experience When he sees a shadow like smirk on wind's face

He would have the opposite reaction to time when it turns out he has a descendant with his stupid brain damaged partner

Like whenever I see fourdow I just want to know if anyone has considered what it implies about wind

I man shadow is a shapeshifter and has shapeshifted into Zelda on several occasions

So….

Four will probably have an aneurysm if he sees shadow and wind with the exact same smirk as a burning building collapse next to them

Like imagine the amount of judgement he would face when the other members of the chain find out about the fact that wind has a demon ancestor

AND four is his other ancestor

[that-g3-artist]

There are many benefits to a zero-gravity boyfriend

(Buy me a coffee? Requests are open!)

[twink-between-worlds]

sibling bonding activity

“I won’t judge you for liking your counterpart, Legend. I…”Four pauses, and Legend raises a brow at the smaller while they chew on their words. “I’m no hypocrite.” “Ah?” “My boyfriend. I’ve told you about him. Shadow? He is, in all technicality, my counterpart. He looks almost just like me, with minor differences—like you and Ravio. Except, I hope Ravio hasn’t tried to kill you or take over the kingdom.” “He couldn’t do that if he really wanted to. Did…did Shadow—” “Yeah.” Legend blinks. “Fuck.” Four breathes out a laugh. “Yeah.” “You’re fucked up,”Legend decides with a snort. “You were into him trying to kill you? Seriously?” “He was really funny when doing it, okay? How could I resist a dork who’s that bad at murder?”Four huffs. And if they thought that would convince Legend that they’re sane, they were mistaken.

[asofspades]

They're done. Gave shadow claw like fingertips with black fade, nicked ears, a mirror shard earring and used the grey scale to match the shade to Four's tunic colours. Also gave him red eyes even though in the manga he has blue eyes for some reason.

Four is just regular Four but do pay attention to his eye colour👀

As usual Tumblr and my phone don't get the best picture quality but whatever.

DO NOT REPOST

Reblogs are appreciated

[summertimemusician]

Linktober 2024, Day 1, Mirror (Self)

Alright here we go again.

Technically a sneak peak of a bigger thing to come in the future that I'm repurposing, and the result of my final playthrough and readthrough before EoW dropped being Four Swords Adventures and that made me sad about Shadow Link again.

Note that this is for the Four Swords Adventures iteration of Shadow Link that might evolve into an LU Shadow, not Dark Link in either LOZ or LU, I have other plans for him.

This one shot was brought to you by Scars by The Crane Wives, Ribs by The Crane Wives, Ruin by The Amazing Devil and Two Minutes by The Amazing Devil because the author's playlist decided to be incredibly cheeky when they blacked out to write this like an ancient seers being cursed with visions and then called mad and hearing they've been put up for execution.

As always the nature of the relationship can be romantic or platonic, mostly due to the author's time constraints and further plans.

Anyway enjoy the reading!

It was cold.

The sort of cold after a wildfire, when everything's turned back to ash, the sort that left burned your vision white after the flames licked through your veins and left an ache in your bones. He shuddered, coughed black onto the stone floor, shaking with a muffled whimper.

It never got any easier, being dragged from the Dark World and into the Realm of Light, the goddesses' world itself revolting against an intruder, wanting the wound torn asunder into their oh so precious realm cauterized. To purge the intrusion and smite it where it stands.

Too bad for them (and for him), his master didn't particularly care about what the world wanted. Didn't particularly care that he hadn't grow accustomed to the pain or the cold, he had to stand up. There was work to be done.

(Shadow gritted his teeth, willed himself not to think about the prophecy of a golden haired princess- because whether he liked it or not, it was prophecy. As those with divinity running through their veins are wont to spill from their throats so carelessly- of violet eyes and a smile a third moonlight and hands holding a hammer.

It always hurt more, after one of the heroes liberated one of the maidens, or the jewels, the pain lingering for days afterwards and carving a home in his metaphorical bones. But just this once he'd take the cold bite of the Four Swords over the pain in the hole in his chest that Vio's betrayal had left, something that felt so much worse than every other time before.

Just this once he wished that maybe, just maybe, the hurt would be too much to bear, that he wouldn't wake up again-

Why? Why does it hurt so much but he's still here? He already knew the Light was uncompromising and unforgiving, but he thought them at least above curses.)

His ears twitched as soft, almost silent footsteps came up to his side. Someone crouching by his fallen form, setting a cautious hand over his own that Shadow couldn't help but draw away from with a hiss, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the world again, to your face, carefully blank as you guided him to lean against your side, a silver choker with a crimson gem winked mockingly at him, the shade closing his eyes and going boneless against your side.

Shadow was so, so tired.

He heard you quietly sigh, plucking his cap from his head and running your fingers through dark amethyst, smoke and mist made hair. "I told you so."

"Shut up." He grumbled, nuzzling further into the crook of your neck. One clawed hand curling against your free wrist, digging into the skin. Absentmindedly noting there were new scratches just above the metal.

It was routine by now, the warmth of your existence against his own a welcome balm, not quite of the Realm of Light where it's unpleasant, not too close to the Dark World where he felt like melting back into the embrace of the darkness, only to howl in agony at being dragged out.

Memories not quite his own bled into his mind all the time. How you'd shape ice into flowers for the princess in winter with nary a though, of blinking and from one second to the next you'd have whatever sword he had hostage if you though it was time for a break with a smile brighter than the sun.

His master had changed that though. It took months for you to stop trying to claw the collar out and to stop trying to fight Vaati.

(Funny how holding a mage's dragon as a bargaining chip is just as effective as kidnapping a ruler.)

Your gaze flicked to the polished obsidian of the Dark Mirror, to the gold, ornate frame. "The offer is still open, you know. Let me take the suffering from you."

"No." He scowled, leaning back to glare into your eyes, a hint of fangs poking out from a maw struggling to keep the shape of a human jaw, "You helped him. Helped them." Shadow spat, there is that hurt again.

You shrugged, a movement that's just slightly awkward as you flinch, "That I did." You confirmed simply, it almost made Shadow see red as he leaned away, knocking your hand from his head in the process, but if there's anything him and the heroes shared, was a lack of a desire to hurt you. It was a little grating to be honest, "Vio even offered to take me with him, to be honest."

"Then why didn't you leave?" He demanded.

Why did you stick around?

Your eyes shuttered, a hint of conflict in your pursed lips. Before you found your words, they come out softly, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you why. You'll just have to find out yourself."

You tug your wrist from his grasp, and Shadow lets you go.

(Stubbornly pushing down on memories and emotions that arearen'tarenotanymore quite his.)

You stand and turn away, pushing the curtains away from your sight, you turn your tired eyes to Shadow with an emotion he can't put a name to. "Just keep it in mind that there's more than one way to end this. Nothing is truly inevitable."

Shadow watches you go. 'There's nothing that can be done. He tells himself, hand hesitating above the Dark Mirror, briefly, it curls into a fist. The hero's original self stares back at him.

'… Does he really believe that?'

He shakes his head, and focuses on willing the Dark Mirror to show him his counterpart.

His chest still hurts.

[shylighthi]

I loved "I'll Be Here When You Wake Up" By @littleleeeloo !! It was so cute seeing these two interact and I just had to draw something for it! So here's Vio and Shadow going on a walk through the park after everything that happened! <3<3 I 100% recommend giving the fanfic a read!

(Yes I made them based off of my Linked Universe versions of the two but that's okay)

Base colors and linear under the cut

[bepisbee]

Artist

It just started as something stupid. His teacher had once again taken away his book for reading in class. His work was done! Vio still got angry at that. It was almost out of spite, that he began doodling in notebooks. It looked like he was working, and the teachers were satisfied. Sure he was excited that Grandpa Smith had allowed them to enroll after their adventure, but he was tired of them being so strict. He kept it up for the year and forgot the next when he got a better teacher.

He never kicked the habit, though. When he was finished with his book and couldn’t get up for another, when he wasn’t allowed to after a test, (which he also thought was stupid and made him angry), and sometimes just to unwind.

He started drawing places and people. Current and past. Detailed drawings. By the time they were all adults it was more than just a little habit, it was something he honestly enjoyed. It was also something he never bothered to tell his brothers.

Vio rolled up his purple knit sweater sleeves, sitting cross legged on the Smith’s rooftop. Crisp fall air bit at his nose and fingertips, but Vio found the sensation refreshing and satisfying. Where Blue wouldn’t be caught dead in the cold, he enjoyed it immensely. He drew the landscape beyond the home. His page was about three-quarters into the well worn book. He wished he had known that night it would be last time in a long time he would see that sight, or he would have finished the drawing.

In his defense, no one expects several different versions of himself to appear from a portal, despite being able to except seeing four.

Vio’s eyes are half lidded, out of focus, as their team talks. He was lost in thought, the topic of tonight’s ‘get to know you’ was hobbies.

“What about you?” Hyrule gently nudges his arm. Vio looked up,

“Hm?”

“He’s boring!” Blue interjects, waving a hand dismissively. “He reads and studies.”

“Oh,” he puts together what he was asked when not paying attention. “Well, I uh.” He looks sheepishly at his fellow color, mild guilt over keeping this from them. It’s not like it was some huge secret or anything, but by the time he felt comfortable saying anything it was too late since he had started. “Actually I do.” he mumbles and goes into his bag.

“Other than reading?” Blue snorts. “That doesn’t count we all already know that.”

“Blue, be nice.” Green scolds.

Vio hesitates, then silently hands over a very well worn drawing book. Hyrule seemed surprised.

“May I?” he opens it.

“Go ahead.” Vio takes a deep breath and lets it out, nervous. Red comes over, eyes bright in curiosity himself. Hyrule flips through some pages.

“Woah…” his admiration and awe brings over more of the chain, who lean over Hyrules shoulder to see. He stops flipping and stares with furrowed brows a moment. “Who is this?” He turns over to the page in question. He had forgotten about that one, Vio’s breath left him for a moment. It was a detailed work he had done on Shadow Link. From memory, but this was the best out of theirs. It was his profile, staring out the fire tower window in a rare moment of calm contemplation. It was one of the most realistically drawn pages in the book. Hyrule flipped to another page, “There’s a few of this guy, there all amazing. I feel like I am actually looking at them!”

Red froze when he saw what he was talking about, between the stiffness in his shoulders and Vio’s silence the group picked dup on the tension immediately. Hyrule sputtered to hand the book back.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude on something personal!” Vio puts his hands up and softly pushes it back towards him.

“No, no. It’s alright. I gave you permission to look. I forgot what was all in this one…” His tone was so much softer than the chain had ever heard. It even had Time looking over, who had been minding his own business. “Do you remember when we told you about our last adventure? When I had tried to convert our living shadow to our side from within?” He got nods. Red sat down next to him silently in support. “That’s them.” he pointed to the page it was on now, Shadow laughing over something stupid, fangs flashed. “There’s a little more to it than just that.”

“Well, no shit.” Legend snarks, trying to loosen the tension, “No one draws someone like that just because.”

“I tried to draw Wolfie once, but he wouldn’t sit still long enough for me to memorize the patterns on his fur.” Vio glanced at Twi, who grinned.

Vio smiles, “Yeah.” he was glad someone picked up on it. “We were…” he glanced at his brothers, “Close. I’m not sure what I would label it as.” his gaze lands with sad longing on the drawing. “I would do just about anything to just see them again.” Legend’s playful gaze, softened.

“I get that.” he put a hand on his shoulder as he walked back to spot around the fire. Some understanding passed between them. Twi also shared a look with Vio for a moment. Hyrule handed back the book.

“Thank you for sharing. Your drawings are really good! Maybe you could draw some of us sometime?” Vio flipped it to a more recent page and turned it around. Wild leaning over a pot with a contemplative look while Wind was running up behind her in the background, arms overflowing with different mushrooms, truffles, and plants. The next page with Wars and Sky sparing playfully, scarf billowing in the wind. in the corner of a page was a doodle of the wind waker and Twi’s clawshot with a few curious notes. Some similar doodles around the edges.

He flipped it to the unfinished page of the landscape from the roof.

“Cool!!” Wind pointed. “Hey, it’s me!” he beamed.

“...If you would like I could draw people for you, when we see them next. So you can keep it with you. Like Sun, or Aryll.” he offers. “Or I can do my best on descriptions.” he meets Legend’s eyes for a moment.

“That sounds really nice Vio,” Hyrule sits back down in his spot now too. “I wish I could draw like that. I don’t have many hobbies outside of my magic.” he changes the subject. Just like that it was over and moved on. He felt a little lighter after sharing, though. Blue stopped him that evening before bed, quietly mumbling an apology for making him sound like he only cared about books, he really hadn’t meant it like that but sometimes his ribbing sounded more serious than he meant. Vio gave him a shoulder pat, a true gesture of acceptance, considering his aversion to touch. They were good. They would always be. And if Vio maybe drew the chain sleeping at the camp, well who would know? He was just grateful Hyrule hadn’t commented on his tiny corner doodles of Shadow, and what he might think about things.

Vio looked at the page wistfully, homesick. At least he had good friends, and his brothers. It made him feel a little less lonely. He turned to the page of Shadow’s profile. Vio fell asleep like that, leaned up against the log and page on Shadow.

In the morning, he had a blanket around his shoulders.

[bandnerdlevel43]

Reverse LU Character Designs

This au has been simmering in my brain holes for a while, so I thought I'd share some designs!

(If you didn't know, Reverse Lu is my linked universe au where various characters from each Link's adventures are zoinked into a traveling party together. Think of it as Hyrule Warriors the sequel)

Here's Tetra! She's mostly the same from her original design- just a little older with freckles and an earring.

Shadow! He's also similar, but now an adult with scarring like a broken mirror.

This is Spirit. He's wearing similar clothes to the original Spirit Tracks design, but he's a little messy and grumpy after working on the trains and forgot to do his hair :) He has curls, freckles, and he's a lot older too, around 18-19. I thought it would be pretty funny if Wind's successor was older than him so he got aged up hehe.

This is Spectre, she's Spirit's girlfriend Zelda, also aged up! I fixed her so she has Tetra's skin tone. She likes wearing plate armor and using huge swords like she did when she possesses phantoms. Honestly she looks pretty cool :)

*note, I did not come up with the name for her. If anyone can find who did it, please tell me who did so I can credit them.

And this is Aurora! And uhhh has anyone here seen The Princess and the Swan? Um. I may have made her Odet by accident. good luck unseeing it now muahaha

Also older. The others found her a small bit of armor because she is not the best at combat and must be protected! I loved drawing her hair because it's so floofy.

Also adding a Ravioli doodle I drew on my phone to tag it as such and scare away Ravioli haters. They are married here. Cry about it. (/j please don't cry)

Feel free to ask me anything! I'm also up for ideas about character dynamics/designs if you want to share, just throw me an ask! I'd love to see what people think of the silly guys that run around in my microwave of a brain ❤️

[lunawolfiefoxy]

Happy Valentines! (I plan on trying to do Time and Malon as well, and if I have time for it I'll also do any requests yall have ;)

[uniquevoidflowers]

I am not good at writing Four, but here! @frostedshadow, I think this was a prompt you requested?

Four sat on the cold ground, his neck and back aching as he shakily threw a book across from him. His eyes were blank with a dark purple and icy blue creeping into them. A harsh but caring voice tried to reason with the usually intelligent but fierce voice, while the others tried to maintain the consequences of the intelligent voice’s actions. On the outside you could see how bruised Four’s eyes were and how drastically pale he was, but you couldn’t see what was going on through his head. Inside however, was a different story. 

“Damn it Vio, can’t you see what you’re doing to Four?!” Blue yelled.

“I can’t stop now Blue.” Vio responded, voice lowered and small, but his face in a deadpan.

“I know this…this grief is hard for you, and I understand why…but you can’t drag other people down and hurt yourself in the process!” Blue tried to reason, getting angrier by the second. 

Vio didn’t even move. “I can make this work! I just need a few more days, more researching, more concentration!” 

Blue made a frustrated noise and sent a sharp glare towards the violet link. “You’ve had your time! How do you think Four’s going to explain why he’s like this to the others huh? We’re going to look insane!” 

“I don’t care! I don’t fucking care! Let me be!” Vio snapped.

Blue flinched and opened his mouth to protest, but his voice wouldn’t come out. 

“You do realize if you keep it up like this, we’re going to suffer? Is that what you want? Is that what Shadow would want?” Red murmured, looking downcast.

It was Vio’s turn to flinch. Suddenly there were tears at his eyes and he stubbornly rubbed them, trying not to reveal his hurt. The other Links looked at him with sad understanding. “You—You don’t understand!” Vio cried.

“I do! Trust me, I want to have Shadow back too, but this isn’t healthy.” Red said, his voice unwavering. 

Vio wiped a tear from his eye and gave Red a look of pure hurt and then cut off from everyone. The colours desperately tried to contact the violet link, a little angry he was being this…this juvenile. Red sobbed uncontrollably causing Four to react the same. Blue rushed to comfort the red link, hoping that the chain wouldn’t catch Four in their vulnerability. Green gave a glance at the situation and attempted to take control of Four, but Vio had a tight grasp. 

Four wearily sat up and began to look at the stack of books Twilight had gathered for him earlier and tried to read the titles but the lines were blurry and the colours of the books mixed together. “Wha..?” 

His voice was raspy and filled with emotion for some reason. Footsteps pounded in his ear and then there was something resting on his shoulder. Four started but realized it was a hand. A soft and gruff voice met his ears but he couldn’t quite make out what it was saying. Maybe Blue and Red were right. That was the last thought Four had before he slumped and his head lolled back. 

___________________________________________________________

“Oh splendid, know the chain probably think’s we’re crazy!” Blue shouted, his hands clutching his head.

“Calm down Blue, we might be able to come up with an explanation.” Green sighed.

Vio was still blocking any connection but Green was able to get ahold of Four. Right now Four couldn’t wake up, sleep having a death grip on him. Red was sniffling, quietly mumbling apologies. “Might! MIGHT?!” Blue screeched.

Green rolled his eyes. “We have no way of guaranteeing anything, but we’re smart. I think we could come up with something logical.” 

“I am not calming down until Vio decides to come and help us.” Blue seethed, shooting a glare at nothing in particular. 

Green sighed once more and sat down, giving up on the blue link. 

Days passed by, painfully slow, but they still passed. Everything remained the same, Blue getting increasingly furious. Green trying to console Red. Vio being silent. One day Four was able to open his eyes and emerald eyes peered out. Four saw Time standing there a calm and relieved expression on his face. “You’re awake.”

Four sat up and looked around, before his eyes darted back to the old man. “How are you feeling?” Time questioned, grabbing a glass of water and gently forcing it into the smith’s hands.

“M’tired.” Four responded, and took a small sip of the water, surprised at how it touched his dry throat. 

“No surprise there.” Time said, squinting at the smithy.

Four bit his lip, wondering just how much the old man knew. “Wha…What happened..?” 

“You passed out for a weak and scared us all little one. Care to explain why?” 

“I…I….uh…uhm…” Four stammered looking for the colours’ help.

“I knew this would happen!” Blue yelled.

“Shut up!” Green hissed.

Red thought for a moment and then raised his hand. Green gestured for him to speak. “We could just say nightmares?” Red suggested tentatively. 

“It’s better than nothing I guess.” Blue muttered.

“Nightmares.” Four said, clipped.

Time raised a brow, not looking convinced. “Would you like to talk about it?”

The smith instantly shook his head. “Why, if I may ask?” Time pressed.

“Because…I…look Time, I just don’t want to talk about the nightmares.” Four sighed, a swirl of blue entering the emerald eyes.

“If you say so.” Time hummed.

Four blinked wearily and yawned. Time smiled. “We’re at an inn now, you have a lot of time to rest. No pun intended. You should get some more sleep, the traveller said it will help you.” 

The smith stared at the old man for a few hot moments before giving the glass of water back to Time and resting his head on a pillow. He yawned again and closed his eyes, sleep welcoming him with open arms. “Rest well smithy.” Time nodded and Four drifted off.

_________________________________________

After a bit something healed and Vio came back. The colours didn’t know why but were very grateful. “YOU IDIOT!” Blue screamed and ran to hug the violet link. 

Red and Green followed. Vio apologized profusely and kept on saying he didn’t know what had gotten into him. It was a mess and a blur, but eventually things were fixed. They all sat there, and let Four rest, as they talked and joked and cried. 

_____________________________________________

“Four! Foooooour! Fooooooooooooooourrrrr!” Wind shook the smith impatiently. 

“I’m up, I’m up!” Four groaned and sat up as the sailor grinned and stood up.

“Good morning smithy.” Twilight greeted, looking amused.

Four glared at the rancher, eyes icy blue. The cook handed him some food and he sat down next to Legend who stared at him for a long few minutes and then shrugged. Four grumbled and then ate, as Time sent him a look. Icy blue shifted into violet and the smith smiled reassuringly. Time nodded and relaxed, devouring a spoonful of the meal. Four sighed and gave one last glance at the many books that Vio had and gave them back to Twilight. Everybody was surprised at Four’s actions but Vio knew it was for the best this time. 

[onemustydustyplace]

Happy valentines!

[Archive]

[weepingtalecowboy]

Four has weird shit on his resume

Fanfic prompt:

Four knows a lot about illegal and forbidden warfare

About how to get information in a very disturbing and cruel manner

And more

Because Vio was taught by the same kid who burned down almost all of Hyrule

There is no way Shadow or Vaati respect Warfare

They probably use it as a to-do list

And Vio was dragged along and given hands on experience how to torture people

And four sometimes forgets that it isn’t fine to put salt on the fields of his enemies thereby ruining food production for generations

Or that getting tied to a stake and getting threatened with death by public execution

And dark magic like necromancy and stealing people’s life souls

Is considered a war crime

Warriors who fought in an unhonorable war against evil is genuinely disturbed by four's knowledge of their tactics

And how four sometimes accidentally thinks the same way or similarly to a monster or dark mage

Wind considers himself a master criminal but the second four opens his mouth

He has to tune him out for his own sake

And remaining innocents (he literally can’t even comprehend most things four implies because he still is a kid)

Four has done things

You don’t know how to torture people with such success if you haven’t done it yourself

That little man has skeletons in his closet

[oceanhaiart]

Hey look, gay people

I came out of my totk hole to spruce up an old wip for pride month. Now to return to only thinking about totk

[seatrisa]

Four head cannons.

For some reason, I've been wanting to talk about some of my head cannons for Four.

Firstly, I usually think of him as 4 people even though JoJo said he isn't.

For ages. I go back and forth from picturing him as 21 (a full adult despite his height) or 16 (as is closer to what JoJo said he is. I like both to be honest. He usually seems very mature (save for the last update Lol) and put together, which leads me to think of him as older. Plus, I can picture him as a well respected Blacksmith better when he is older. At the same time, it can be fun to have a young master and it's not like I'm opposed to him being younger.

Game order and how that effects him: I picture that four went on 3 adventures: MC, FS and FSA. After FS, he was knighted even though he was probably like 14. He had already saved Hyrule twice and felt that he was more skilled than the other knights (he was right about a good number if we're being honest). He was the cocky and rude kid that you see in the comics. But when he went on FSA at 15, he learned humility and how to work as a team once more.

Each time, he used the four sword, his personality split more until he was almost 4 people in a single body. He hasn't shared that information with most people in his Hyrule.

Occupations: At the time of LU. I see Four having two jobs. I think he acts as both a knight and a blacksmith. Most are very confused on how he manages to have 2 full time jobs. (though his family and Zelda know the truth) They usually send 1 off to act a knight, while the others help their Grandpa at the forge. I think they take turns, but I picture Green going slightly more than the others. I think after FSA, he decided he missed blacksmithing and that's why he has two jobs.

In the future, I picture, they eventually open up to the community that they are 4 different people and they get their own jobs. I think that Green would be a knight and only does blacksmithing as a hobby. I picture that Blue sticks mostly to Blacksmithing, though he may be a little like a knight in reserve. He will step up when issues come up. Vio would become a scholar/librarian and possibly a wizard. He's a nerd, I think he would enjoy devoting his life to learning.

I'm not so confident about Red. Right now, I picture him becoming a toy maker. I know it's random, but I like it.

Next Shipping. I picture Four as poly, kinda. I picture that each part of him will find a partner and eventually go off to live their own lives.

I really like Green and Zelda. I just think they are so cute together. I know it's not a popular ship for him, but I love it and I always ship them. In the future, I picture they would have 1 maybe 2 kids, mostly to get an heir. They still love them, but that was the main goal.

Then there's Vio and Shadow. Not my favorite ship, but I don't think it's a bad one at all. They can be kinda cute at times. Plus, it's so popular, I'm willing to accept it. (even though I don't accept other equally popular ships) I think either Vio and Shadow eventually reunited or he stayed single and honored Shadow's memory. I don't usually picture them having kids. But I could see them adopting an orphan or Vio taking on an apprentice and taking a father role towards them.

I usually ship Red with Erline from the comic because I love her. I think both of them are adorable and deserve each other. In the future, I picture them having lots of kids, as in 5+. I don't know. I see Red being a really good Father and Husband.

Now Blue. Blue is harder.

Sometimes I wonder if he should also be gay to make Four as a whole more equally Bi. The problem is I don't know of a character in his games that would fit and I don't have any inspiration for a OC. Let me know if you know a good one.

Other times I ship him with Malon (there's a Malon in both MC and FSA) because I like the idea of Four being the father to everyone because of all his relationship. Other times I ship him with Iris because I think her character is hilarious and I think Link (any of them) is cute with a little witch girl.

Occasionally, I let him just be single but not often.

I don't know. Blue is hard. Because his relationship is so up in the air, I don't have opinions on if he would have kids in the future.

That's basically it. I don't know how many will actually see this but, it was still fun to write.

[asofspades]

It's missing Shadow hours

Got inspired by the JJK collage I did yesterday so here's link holding a piece of the dark mirror (yes, he did cut his palm on it on accident)

I kind of did this with vio in mind but It can also be the four colours merged back together or Four from linked universe, your pick.

[summertimemusician]

Linktober (Shadow) 2023, Day 11

Monsters (Dead Hand)

Summer Stop Giving Reader/PoV Character and the Chain a Hard Time and Trauma Challenge (impossible) /j. But really I'll probably write something lighter for Linktober or Linktober Shadow later to compensate for this one lol. Probably a sequel to this one that has Reader actually having a nice time with the Links for once.

Technically since unfortunately studying for future exam season in like a couple of days has been kicking me in the ribs and thus my time was highly cut and unfortunately I don't have an Ocarina to give me more, this is actually a mix of prompts! The ones in the title, Keese, Wolfos, Wizzrobe, Lizalfos, Redead, and Boss, although they are not the focus here, mostly just mentioned but technically checking out the boxes, maybe next time I'll go more in deep on that (Like the original idea that basically was Reader taming a pet Wolfos as a guard hound that I will not elaborate on at least not this year), instead y'all get this with the boss that gave a lot of people childhood trauma and was never seeing again since because we really don't talk about just why Dead Hands are terrifying much, just that they are, really missed opportunity to use them more in an LU context lol.

As always any relationship between Reader and any of the Chain can be interpreted as romantic or platonic, and Reader is Gender Neutral on Purpose. And First is here because again, this would have been longer if exam season wasn't kicking me in the ribs and I have some really evil ideas involving First, Reader and Time bonding over having trauma of enclosed spaces, but thankfully y'all don't get that today lol, or not, it would be a really fluffy scene so up to y'all if it's a win or a loss.

TW:

Don't think there's anything too heavy-ish? But I'm a horror fan so I'm not someone who can accurately judge that. I'd say graphic descriptions of violence and gore, and being restrained/pinned in place and the entire deal that is the Dead Hand's existing, so please don't read if you're squeamish or uncomfortable. Health is important and specially mental health and I always leave these warnings on Linktober Shadow related prompts or heavier stories, so just a heads up so no one is caught by surprise.

Anyway, enjoy reading!

It was an almost unanimous agreement that no hero liked to pass through a cemetery in Hyrule.

From the restless Gibdo, to the mischievous yet usually cruel Poes and the lost Ghini, to the ever wandering Stalfos and the ghastly agonized Redead and ever determined ghoulish Garo, nothing good ever came from entering in areas where dead things roam. You can't be sure if it's because of the magic in Hyrule, the living force of light and shadow and the divinity coursing through the land, or simply the will of the undead or the consequences of Demise attempting to claim the Triforce, graveyards and desolated fields meant silence, they should be where those who are gone should finally acquire their final catharsis, not to roam endlessly without release, solemn as these places are they are still places for a peaceful end and to be denied such due to the whims of the Shadow... You can think of very few awful fates that can compare.

('Terrible fates, you could say.' The grimly bemused part of your mind whispers, as you walk alongside Time further down into the crypt that you and the Chain had followed the shadow into, silver, prisitne armor briefly blends with old, rusted, bloody gold and you think you hear the rattling of bones in the distance, the draw of a rusted, but still serviceable sword. You shut it away with a snarl as you cut down the Stalfos attempting to ambush Wild from the rear, and it goes down and back into the darkness with a screech alongside the chilling knowleged and the sick cracking of broken bones, not on your watch, never on your watch, you refuse.)

"Of all places why did it have to be a bloody crypt?" Grimaced Warriors, casting a weary glance towards the skulls decorating the walls, their empty sockets empty but silently cutting, as if sneering at the fact you lot had dared disturb the dead, as if it wasn't the Shadow's mere presence making what would otherwise be a place for rest into a possible death trap.

Legend smirked, though you could tell he wasn't anymore pleased from the way he marched through the cold, cracked stone floor, steps flighty and eyes darting around corners, "What, a bit too much for you, soldier boy?"

"No," came the prim answer, although the twitch of the hand near his scabbard as you stepped into an open chamber gave him away, as well as Wind being kept at his side rather than near the wall, "Just don't generally like fighting the undead in closed spaces. It's a recipe for disaster."

"On that I believe we all can agree on." Came Time's voice, cutting through the banter, tense as a drawn bowstring, you knew being back in a crypt wasn't easy for him, with the way his jaw tensed, you both had the same awful memories of a similarly buried, abandoned place where dead things roamed without cease, frantic, hungry for the warmth of the living, "Keep your guard up, and stay close together."

Almost as if on cue came the monsters from the open corridors, you didn't hesitate in drawing your blade to cut through the enemy, keese were easily dispatched by Four and Legend's swords, you spun to slit the throat of a growling Wolfos from Twilight's era going for Sky's back just as he mercilessly chased down the Black Lizalfos, the beast clearly avoiding the glow from the Sword of Evil's Bane. Time's back to yours as you cleared the path for him and blocked the Shadow's exit through the left corridor, it had already proven that it would not matter if you did or not, but you refused to not let it work for survival.

The jolt of magic being used crawling up your spine was your first warning. Like the build up of lightning in a storm, the taste of rust and a feeling like tar  slithers up your throat.

The second was Wild's warning shout as the chamber shook with the grating, chilling, blood curdling howl of the Redeads, Time lunging away from your side to slash the beasts away from Wind and Warriors with all of the fury of a wolf defending it's pack, before you had to throw yourself back, slamming your back against the arch on the right as it caved in, lest you be crushed alongside the Wolfos coming for your neck the second the older hero moved.

You were separated.

You were alone.

A really, really bad spot to be when in Hyrule's catacombs.

"Are you alright?!", Came muffled from the other side of the stones, the hint of an actual wolf's growl and the distinctive Ordonian cadence, Twilight.

"I'm fine! Keep fighting, I'll find my way to you guys!", You yell back, heart racing, trying not to think about what you could find on your way back, you didn't have any bombs on you, it wasn't feasible to use them in a place as old as this, not without risk bringing down the ceiling on you and the Chain. But most catacombs have interconnected hallways, if you moved quickly, you might just avoid finding anything that you won't be able to handle on your own.

You think Twilight replies, but it's muffled by another Redead's yowl, you wince, your muscles lock up and you feel something warm drip from your ears, but thankfully you are not rendered immobile due to the involuntary wall, you swallow your trepidation and get moving.

The further you get away from the fallen stones, the more silent the catacombs extending from the crypt you were dropped in became, shadows twist oddly by the torches upon the wall with only your breathing and the cold, unfeeling remains of the dead to keep you company, the lowly burning flames bringing you no warmth. The corridors blended together in the darkness cast by the faint light, the shades contorting themselves in the crevices of your paranoia the longer you went on with only your own hurried footsteps to make any true sound.

Not one monster had found it's way to you thus far, though, and according to the copy of the map Legend had made the second you had acquired the original from a very unfortunate Wizzrobe from Wild's era. You just needed to pass one more open chamber to find the corridor leading to your boys, You couldn't keep them waiting, who knew how long it would take for the fight to finish if Redead's were involved? And staying still when the Shadow could turn itself intangible was practically begging it to switch it's attention, it usually didn't pay you as much mind as it did the heroes, Time specially (it seemed to hold a grudge against him more than any of your boys, you noted bitterly), but it would occasionally target you if it meant getting a rise from any of the Link's or if it felt you were too  secure in your safety, it was better if you found your way back first to the hunt before you became hunted.

You grit your teeth, by Hylia's dripping gash, you were so. darn. tired. of. being. hunted.

Of watching your friends being led into a wild hunt with no end in sight, dragged by the noose by a remnant that refused to stay dead, you never thought you could burn with so much anger, with the desire to see if fire would scare it sober into ceasing in it's infection of all of Hyrule's Eras. But unfortunately you knew it didn't work like that, so you had to survive, you would survive, because someone had to protect the heroes when the heroes protected everyone else and if no one was going to step up to the job, you'd just have to do it yourself.

Shaking yourself from your thoughts, lest you end up drowning in them, you breath in relief as soon as you come upon the metal door with the symbol of the royal family, faded and rusted with age, there. You just needed to pass through this chamber and the corridor next to it, and you'd be back with Link, all of them, and hopefully out of here. You push it open, grip tightening on your long dagger, almost a sword, good enough to cut and hide. The thick and pungent combination of old, congealed blood, sick and decaying flesh, something like rotten eggs dipped in alcohol and withered flowers hits your nose, making you nauseous but you press on, the chamber is circular and dimly lit, with a long cracked, soft stone from a leak in the walls. You studiously do not look at the far corner of the dungeon or the pillory's and shackles scattered around near the cells,  there's a second door to the other side, as soon as you pass through it you'll be in another corridor.

... It's silent, too quiet. Unease slithers and twists around you like vines, but you can't delay, you won't, so you keep walking-

Until you can't.

Something has grabbed a hold of your leg. You look down, and your blood freezes, spotting a long, sickly, pale arm and a bright crimson, elongated nails, claw-like, digging into your ankle, having dug itself up from the fragile ground.

You don't hesitate, slashing down violently at the offending limb, frantic terror spreads through your blood, you knew what was here. It featured in your nightmares for a long, long time, you knew it still haunted Time's, the limb goes slack as it is severed, and you barely note the way it starts bleeding black and green at the stump, thankful for Four's expert craftsmanship and maintenance hints as you dive to the exit. You don't make it far, it's companion limbs  bursting in front of your path like a snake emerging from the ground, it makes a solid grab for your  arms, one of them grabs you by the scalp, firmly digging as you dodge and weave between, a stabbing pain upon your skull from the indomitable grip of something fueled by fury, twisted magic and rigor mortis and makes you cry out, your slight moment of hesitation allowing two more hands to latch onto your legs and arms, nails slicing through your flesh like easily and digging, tearing like a rabid hunting dog's teeth upon an unfortunate deer, leaving deep gashes upon your arms and ankles, it's not unlike being pinned and held to a torture rack, in hindsight, ironic given just where in the crypt you ended up.

Your hear the ground below shifting below you, a groan carrying through the air, awfully monstrous, coldly human. You struggle harder like a desperate butterfly upon a dissection board, from your peripheral, you see the form of the thing unhurriedly dragging itself over, it uses the sharp and bloody ends of where bone was broken to slice it's hands off to shuffle out of the grave, using it's stubs as support. Long long neck barely supporting it's elongated head, the scent of rot intensifies and you feel like gagging as it settles it's empty, frigid, hungry eye sockets on your bound form; it's broken jaw contorting itself in a mockery of a human smile over rotten gums and exposed teeth, stretching unnaturally and bringing emphasis to it's rotting, bloodied sunken features. From behind it's bloated, putrid shape, barely obscured by the bloodied white cloth and the grotesque vision of the undead you swear the crimson eyes of the shadow, watching you coldly, the hint of a knife sharp, serpentine smile as the sound of wet meat slamming across the ground rings in the chamber.

Fury mixes with your panic as you snarl, trying to twist the dagger in your grip as best as you can to drive it into the arms, pain and blood drips from the open wound but you don't care; you need to get away from the Dead Hand. A monster like that feels no pain when struck for it is not human, not any longer, and you couldn't hope to face an infected one alone, it shuffles over the floor, unhurriedly shuffling like a predator that knows it's prey can't run away, it moans and groans with hunger as it approaches and you have no intention of giving it a meal, you grit your teeth as the nails sink deeply into your shoulders and arms, using your blade to saw through rotting flesh and hopefully break bone with every single inch of strenght you have, the blade is slick in your hand with your own blood and the poison-tar of the Shadow's infection burning through you but you do not mind, can't. You need to get away-

The undead's teeth sink into the hollow of your collarbone, blunt, human teeth that shouldn't have half the strenght it does to rip through flesh, blood and crack bone, and you caterwaul with pain, skin crawling and numbing and set aflame with curses sent from the dark reflection of the hero, darkening, veins blackening, your eardrums vibrate with the force of your own agony and you are sure you could rival a Redead on pitch alone of your tortured howl. Struggling even more ferociously, attempting to disloged it, kick it off, your blade sucessfully slashes through the arm from your reverse grip, pushing away from it with the savegery off a cornered predator you sink your long dagger into the undead's eye sockets, tearing through it's cheek with animal ferocity, it keens high and chilling, you're losing blood quickly and it (for it's not a human, not anymore, you can't feel sympathy for it, won't. You can't hesitate.) knows, for it tries to chomp down onto your vulnerable neck, your arm being the only thing keeping it from biting it out as you growl with pain, although you can't be sure it just won't bite through, it's teeth are bared, the pitch of it's blank eyes locked onto yours in stalemate, you have the advantage of not being weakened by hunger and decay, not sluggish like it but that will not help for long, the clammy being determined to bleed you dry and feast on your corpse and you are drowning drowning drowningDROWNINGWITHWRETCHEDTORMENT MAKE.THE.PAIN.STOP-

A scream of your name, sword calloused hands yank you away from claws and fangs (because nothing with blunt teeth and nails should be able to wound someone so throughly), you waver on your feet, swaying, supported by a warm, strong body and pulled away. A sword slashes the foul being away from you and you go lax, numb with pain.

First, First was supporting you. Keeping you steady, stopping you from falling, snarling at the corpse with a lion's fury, holding you protectively. Time tears by him like a man possessed, frenzied with the look of a man looking at his worst nightmare and growling in denial. The Links, wounded but alive, the Chain had met you halfway.

The last thing you remember before losing conciousness as adrenaline leaves your body and everything goes dark, is wishing that they'll burn it to be sure it's gone for good. It's the kindest thing that can be done for a such a wretched existence.

You'd be okay.