#mouse four seems to be a thing cause of the minish

[rebornofstars]

i would be interested to hear people's dark world form headcanons for the LU boys, if anyone would like to share 👀 im having trouble remembering what animals exist for some reason 😭

[luimagines]

First Kiss! Part 3

Masterlist

Part 1 Part 2

Part three will include Four, Hyrule and Wind!

Content under the cut!

Four

The night was crisp and young as you walked with Four around the forest before Wild had to eventually send out the Wolf to come and find you two if you wanted to eat anything at all.

He walked a little ways ahead of you and grinned when he came across a little tree stump with a small crack down the middle. “I found one!”

“Found what?” You tilt your head. “When you said you were going to show me something, I didn���t think it would be this? Unless it’s still something I’m not seeing yet.”

“We’re not there yet!” Four bounces on the balls of his feet like an excited kid and gestures you to come next to him frantically.

You try to hide your laughter and go do what he’s asking of you.

He’s quick to grab your hand and he takes a breath.

You raise your eyebrow and copy him.

Four looks over to you, knowing that you’re messing with him before he grins and says, “Ready?”

“Ready for what?”

Four starts chanting a spell before you can even think to stop him and your whole vision shifts and everything grows and it’s warm and sweet and there, before you is suddenly a small hut with mouse people that you’ve never seen before. With feathered tails and little hats and ponchos with acorn cups and pots and you take a minute to take it all in.

Four laughs at your struck dumb expression and ushers you forward.

“What is this place?” You ask on a breath.

Four grabs your hand and gestures with his free to the space around you. “This is a safe haven for the Minish or the Picori as they’ve been known to call themselves.”

“Wow...” You feel a bright smile on your face as you head deeper into the little village inside the tree stump.

But alas, it’s only a few seconds before Link is swarmed by the mouse peop- the Minish as they asll seem to recognize him.

“Hello Mr. Hero!”

“You’re back Link!”

“How have you been?”

“Come sit with us! Have a drink!”

“Link, it’s been awhile. Do you have any new stories to tell us?” A group of the mice- minish- you have to remind yourself again- walk up to Link and one dares to loop their around his, leaning her head on his shoulder as she says this.

Four grins and pulls himself away much to your relief. “You know it! But not right now.” Four says your name, introducing you to the people who must be his friend before saying he was going to show you around.

One minish girl pouts and goes to reach for his arm again. “But Mr. Hero~!”

“Later.” Four smiles in your direction and takes your hand for everyone to see, lacing your fingers together.

You smile a little more easily and gladly follow him through the town.

And it’s really quite lovely.

But... You would enjoy yourself more if Four didn’t have one of them come up to flirt with him every ten minutes.

You can see him begin to get uncomfortable and he’s already apologized more than once about not being able to give you his full attention and show you around like he wanted. Your heart breaks for him.

One girl though, really pushes your buttons.

It’s the same one from earlier- the one that didn’t hesitate to latch onto his arm. “Link! You’ve been here long enough already! Tell us your stories!”

“Sorry but he’s with me today.” You growled and pulled him away from her.

He lets you.

You glare at the girl who doesn’t seem all that impressed by your attitude and claim. She scoffs a little and crosses her arms. “And you are you supposed to be?”

“His lover.”

Four coughs a little next to you but doesn’t deny anything.

The picori around you all still as if you popped a balloon in a silent room. All activity stops and there’s a nervous air around everyone as they all turn their heads to look at you, Four and the small group of minish girls that backup the original.

The original blinks for a minute before smirking a little. “No you’re not.”

You feel like you’ve been slapped.

You take a step back before a calm washes over you.

She doesn’t believe you?

That’s fine.

You shrug and turn to Four who’s watching everything with intense interest.

You don’t hesitate to pick him up and pin to the wall beside you, kissing him like it’s the last thing you’ll ever do. Like you’ve been dying of thirst and he’s the glass of water you’ve been waiting for. Like you’re about to get heat stroke and he’s the shade to protect you. 

Four kisses you back with a smile on his lips.

Four wraps his legs around your waist and buries his hands into your hair, bringing you closer to him.

He tastes like apples and you vaguely remember the apple pie Four had managed to snag for breakfast earlier. There’s the hint of cinnamon and sweet sugar topping.

“I think they’re together.” Someone says in the background but you’re not paying attention to them any more.

You pull away from Four and rest your forehead against his. “Hey there Lover Boy, sorry about the lack of warning.”

“I am not complaining. That was hot.” He smirks and pulls you back in for another kiss.

Those who were interested in Four back away somewhat and everyone returns, with great difficulty on their part, back to what they were doing before.

Minish are terrible gossips.

But you think you can accept that the news is going to be that Four is with you now.

All those fangirls can back off, he’s yours.

Hyrule

You were in trouble for real this time.

You don’t know what it’s going to take but you think it might just be the end of the road for you.

You’re out of potions, you have no fairies, you can’t move your dominant arm and you’re ninety eight percent sure that you’re leg is broken.

To make matters worse, there’s a whole bunch of monsters nearby that you think you’re going to be unable to avoid when they find you.

Eventually.

You take a breath and try to calm down.

There’s no amount of adrenaline in the world that can help out of this one.

And you know you’re not getting any backup either.

This is it.

You can at least leave this plane of existence with a good conscious and a clear head. You can go down with dignity and you can at least you didn’t go down easy.

You just know that the next fight will be your last.

You try to sit up, ignoring how everything in your body seems to hurt, all for different reasons.

It beginning to hurt more now that the adrenaline is leaving your system and you’re getting tired.

A nap wouldn’t hurt.

Maybe the monsters will find you in your sleep and end you then. they say that’s the best to go. In your sleep.

Or (and you know this is unlikely) they’ll think you’re already dead and just leave you alone. Then you can wake up and try to go find help after you’ve rested a little while. 

It’ll be tough, but it’s possible.

Who’re you kidding?

You’re going to die.

You’re never going to see your family again.

You’re never going to tell your friends how much you appreciate them.

You’re never going to be able to tell that Traveler that you’ve fallen uselessly in love with him. 

You’re never going to see the sun again and sing and laugh and see a future family for you....

You don’t want to die.

A single tear runs down your face and you lean back against a stone wall. the corner you were in is secluded enough but not at all hidden.

You can hear the monsters come closer- they’re fighting something. The chaos is loud and thundering in the otherwise empty and quiet cave. They’re coming in your direction and you start counting the seconds.

They get closer and you see the fringes of one huge moblin take a step back to be in front of you. He’s not facing you- too busy fighting something on the other side but you’re out in the open.

You’re tired.

You take another breath and close your eyes. You hear the moblin go down and die but from what, you don’t know. You can’t even open your eyes anymore, that was how tired you were.

But then there’s a scream.

A familiar scream.

Link.

No, Hyrule. It’s Hyrule. It’s your Traveler.

He sounds horrified, pained and it’s enough to try to get you to move again.

You need to see what caused it, you need to see if he’s ok, you need to see what made him scream like that.

But you can’t.

The most you can do it flop an arm and move your head to the side.

Something lands on your side, you can feel it and if you can’t move you can speak. “Mmm...”

Ok, you guess not.

“Oh my god...” Hyrule voice breaks. He sounds like he’s crying.

Please don’t cry, you think. I’m not worth your tears. Save them for someone who matters.

“No...” He gulps and you can feel him move your head, being as gentle as he can with you. You take the biggest breath you can and try to move your head to the other side.

“You can’t die here.” He says. “I won’t let you.”

You can feel the spell he’s used so often on your friend’s fingertips, flow through you and it lessens the pain somewhat, but you know you’re too far gone. You’re too weak. You want to try to stop him from using all his magic but you can’t but at least you can die happy, knowing that he cared about you. It may not be as deep as you would have liked to take your relationship with him, but this is enough. More than enough even.

You feel him turn your head more and begin to lose consciousness.

This is ok.

You think you can go now.

Hyrule kisses you.

It’s desperate.

It’s longing- painful.

Magic flows through your whole body at an alarming rate and you think you can see a golden glow behind your eye lids that forces you to keep your eyes shut tight from the brightness of it all.

But you can move again.

You bring a hand up to your face, feeling Hyrule’s more clearly and let it rest on his jaw.

Slowly, you kiss back- half sure that this is a dream your dying brain has cooked up to make the process easier for yourself.

It’s not sweet, it’s not gentle anymore and the magic wakes you up again enough where you can feel how tight Hyrule is holding onto you.

You push him away with what little strength you managed to get back and blinked your eyes open.

The golden light fades and there’s sits in front of you, your Traveler.

He’s crying.

You blink and begin to feel more of your body again, confusion drowning you in its wake. “Link?”

Your voice is rough and you feel like you need to cough but Hyrule cuts you off and hugs you close. 

“You can’t die.” He says, gulping down the sob that threatens to break through. “I won’t let you... I promise. You’re going to be ok if it’s the last thing I do.”

Wind

“Wind!” You whisper yell and frantically wave your hand to convince to come over to you.

The boy in question grins and looks around momentarily before jogging over to where you were hidden in the bushes. “What is it?”

“Come with me.” You beam and take his hand, wasting no time in dragging him behind you. “There’s something I want to show you but only you. Wild might destroy it and I’ll never be able to get him to leave.”

“Leave where?” Wind asks in his normal volume.

You spin around and place your finger to his lips before glancing for the others again. When nothing appears to have heard the little outburst you pull away and lace your fingers together. “You’ll see!”

Wind doesn’t know what you’re talking about but the secrecy is fun for him, so he’ll place along.

You take him off the trail and take two lefts, a right then a left and Wind considers you two to be lost the second you make the last turn.

He takes a breath and looks around, each tree looking more imposing than the last but he would have no idea where to start if he were to try and go back. “I think we’re lost.”

“No way!” You snort. “This is my home. We’re almost there.”

“Your home?” Wind stands straighter.

You nod and pull away from him.

Wind goes to reach for your hand again.

You don’t notice.

You instead skip over to one of the trees and knock on it three times with your ear pressed up against the truck. You wait two seconds before nodding and take three large steps to the tree on the right and hit it with a branch Wind didn’t see next to it.

The tree shakes and a rope falls down.

You seem encouraged by this and take the rope, pulling on it with all your might which then drops a small ladder, that Wind sees is held together by ropes and connected to something at the top of the tree.

You don’t hesitate to start climbing , getting half way up before looking down and gesturing Wind to follow you.

Wind grins maniacally and follows you up the ladder faster than you would have thought he’d be capable of climbing.

You get to the top which is blocked off by a bunch of wood, but you know this place and you lift the trap door with ease and climb inside.

You get on your knees and turn around reaching your hand out to help Wind into the tree house.

He climbs in slower than you, glancing around with wide eyes, taking in everything.

There’s a small unmade bed in the corner with two stuffed animals from what he can. One is a dog and another is a bird but he doesn’t know what kind.

There’s a small bookshelf under a window that’s propped open with a small wooden board. There’s not a lot of books there, maybe seven at most but that’s more books than Wind is accustomed to seeing in one place and the rest of the space is filled is nick nacks and trinket that Wind assumes are from your adventure. And small chest next to it that must be where your clothes are if the cloth hanging out is any indication. 

There’s also a small- (toy sized) wood stove with matching metal pots and pans and a small sink on the other side of the tree house. Out of curiosity, he walks over and turns on the faucet.

It has running water.

“This is my home.” You whisper when Wind comes to stand up. “It’s little... and a little broken, if I’m being honest. I don’t have the tools to fix it but it’s mine.”

“Broken?” Wind blinks and looks around even more. There’s some rotting wood by the bed, now that he sees it and it doesn’t look like it’ll be able to hold much more weight if it continues without being replaced. It’s holding up the ceiling above your head- Wind instantly feels concerned for your safety should it collapse while you’re there, or what you’d do if it happened while you weren’t there. He’s almost sure now that there’s more that he just can’t see right now, if that was glaringly obvious off the get go.

“Some parts need fixing and replacing.” You admit. “But I didn’t build this place, I just found it and moved in, so I don’t know where I would even start. It’s not safe on the ground at night so I’m better off up here. There’s also some pipes on the roof are beginning to rust and get nasty. It collects the water from the tree leaves when it rains and keeps it in a container buried in the ground, that’s how I have running water. But it’s cracking.”

You sigh and sit on the floor, crossing your legs under you. “I’ll figure it out. Worse case scenario I’d have to leave and find a cave or something to live in but-”

“We can help you!” Wind turns to you and falls to knees in front of you. “Wild’s good at collecting materials. Twilight and Time can help build. Warrior can plan it out. Legend and Four can help with the pipes. You don’t have to lose your home.”

“The others might make fun of me for having this place.” You mutter with a small pout on your face. “But I knew you wouldn’t! That’s why I brought you up here! I may have nothing, but it’s a lot of nothing so I have enough to share.”

Wind leans into your space suddenly and places his lips on yours.

You gasp and touch them with the tips of your fingers, staring at him wide eyed and shocked.

It was just a peck, a butterflies touch, but the look on Wind’s face says something else. It’s heavy with emotion, with concern and care, and there’s a little part of you that finds it more attractive than you thought it would be.

“You won’t lose your home and I won’t let them make fun of you, I promise.” He gulps and bite his lip. “Let us help. Please.”

You blink at him and let the furious blush encompass your face entirely. You shrink a little bit away but smile. “Ok.”

Wind takes a breath and releases it a nervous but joyful laugh. “We’ll go get the others, ok? And we’ll make sure that you’re ok and safe and this whole place will be as good as new.”

You nod with a smile and Wind looks overjoyed that you agreed.

You hum and shift your weight onto your knees as well, leaning into Wind’s space, steadying yourself with a hand on his shoulder and place a delicate kiss on his lips as well. “Thank you Link.”

Wind also blushes something fierce and he begins to play with his hands in front of him, giggling and bashful. “Oh- Um- Well- I- Uh...You- You’re welcome.”

[tentimesthecourage]

Colors and Ihcamodot

Summary: Four’s turn! This was... something.

"Mister Rinku!" Rinku's ears perked and twitched as he turned to the two young daughters of one of the Sheikah guards. He crouched down and tilted his head, smiling softly.

"Yes girls? How can I help you?"

"We found a little creature!" Koko chirped with Cottla nodding, holding something cupped in her hands.

"Is that right?" He hummed, wondering if they had managed to catch a Restless Cricket or something. But when Cottla held out her hands to show him, he was taken aback.

It (They? He? She?) was a mouse-like creature with wide yet soft dark eyes and short blonde hair held back by a headband that had a red and white feather attached to it. They cocked their head at the sight of the hylian male before glancing at the girls and squeaking something that Rinku couldn't understand, but apparently they did.

"He says he wants to go with you!"

And that was the first meeting of Colors.

-----

Colors rolled his eyes in a seemingly sassy manner when Rinku mentioned the name, giving the taller male a 'Are you serious?' look causing Rinku to shrug helplessly. "Hey! At least I didn't suggest something like Mouse. You certainly look like one-ow." He huffed at the sharp nip he got in response. "Maybe I should go with 'Brat' instead."

Colors merely smirked, clearly pleased with himself. Meanwhile Rinku threw Link, who was sniggering, a look.

"Great, gonna spend my time being bullied by a mouse and my own twin."

"Edusuam aw nesamira!"

"I don't know what that means!"

Even with their bickering, a bond was definitely forming.

-----

Well, he might not be able to understand the language, but he could definitely tell Colors was disappointed in him by the way he was going off. Nearby he noted that Link was getting his own 'scolding' by means of disappointed glare from Wolfie, but his attention was drawn back to Colors by a sharp nip to his index finger. He pointed at the Hylian, visibly shaking with... what? Anger? Fear?

"Agek o atihs omak nesamerihs! Atana ag uraednezna ot nihsukak etihs iani on in, ezan atana aw inan'nos anobum otok o urus usedon ak?!"

Rinku almost jolted when he heard the tiny hitch in his voice. Colors either didn't notice or didn't care as he hastily scrubbed at his eyes. Was he... crying?

"Atana aw ihsataw o aragawok ates... Ihsataw aw attomo... Ihsata aw atana o uoraduanihsu ot attomo..."

The ex guard's ears drooped and he reached his free hand to gently rub the top of Colors' head. The smaller being looked up and he felt even worse to know he was right, seeing tear stains on his flushed cheeks.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to worry you so much..." He brought him closer, watching as Colors flopped against his chest, right over his heart. It was almost as if he was checking that it was still beating. Had he really worried him that much?

"Anakoro..." He barely heard the mutter. "Atana aw ometot usedakoro... Ihsakihs, omotukanukus atana aw okok in usami. Omotukanukus atana aw usednezna..." Rinku gently brushed his fingers over his head, feeling more than hearing his cries dull down.

He never wanted to worry him like that again.

-----

Hyrule Castle was menacing, even just from the outside. They were sitting by the broken fountain in the ruins of Castle Town, taking a moment to breathe after getting rid of the guardians that had been in the area and checking to see they were prepared to face the chaos that would be inside those stone walls.

Rinku noticed Colors seemed distracted by something, continuously glancing off in the distance.

"Is something wrong...?"

He lifted his head before sighing, ears falling back.

"Ihsataw aw... Aberekanaki ianaran..." He gestured out in the direction he had been gazing. Rinku followed his gaze, seeing nothing, but when he looked back at him, he took note of the saddened expression and slowly it clicked.

"You... you have to leave, don't you? Like Wolfie did." The Wolf had disappeared a few days ago after a tearful farewell from Link. It hurt to think that Colors would have to do the same.

He nodded before climbing onto his hand, gesturing for him to lift his hand. Rinku did so slowly, enough so they were eye to eye. He reached out and placed a clawed hand on his face gingerly, smiling despite the tears shining in his eyes. Rinku could have sworn they flashed several different colors.

"Atana ot okok in uri otok aw ometot ihsarabus usedotok... Abotok aw ihsataw ag odoherod esawaihs ak o negoyh urus otok aw nesamiked..." Colors used his free hand to wipe his eyes, being so close Rinku could see the little crystal clear droplets sliding down his cheeks. "Nezna o ohukak etihs iasaduk... Iagato on awes o etihs iasaduk..."

"Don't you worry... we'll be careful... and maybe... maybe we'll see each other again?" He hoped, he wished. Colors' smile widened slightly and he nodded slowly before tapping him gently.

"Ihcamodot." He said firmly, looking so sure of himself. Rinku still had no idea what he was saying, but the word made him feel warm. He smiled softly and shifted his hold on the smaller male to gently press him to his cheek in the slightest imitation of a hug he could manage. He both felt and heard the startled squeak before it melted into gentle purring.

Reluctantly he pulled away and lowered his hand to allow Colors to jump off. "I'll miss you..." He whispered. Colors gave him a sad smile before he turned and darted off. It didn't take long for Rinku to lose sight of him and the ex guard slumped.

He glanced over when he felt Link's hand grasp his shoulder and squeeze gently. His twin gave a sad understanding smile causing him to return it before they nodded together and headed towards the castle. It was time to finish this.

-----

"There, you see them?" Rinku pointed at the small creatures. "They're so cute... what are they?"

Four raised an eyebrow in surprise before chuckling softly. "They're called Minish. Normally only good children can see them, myself being an exception of course... so I don't know why you can." His tone was teasing. "As you are not a child. Not physically anyway."

"Oh hah hah hah..." He huffed gently, nudging his boyfriend gently. "You're hilarious."

"I know~"

It was a peaceful silence before Rinku spoke again, watching the Minish scurry about. "I... met one, in my time." He didn't notice Four stiffening beside him.

"Oh...?" The smith's voice was near breathless causing him to blink before he continued.

"Yeah... I didn't know what he was at the time... never heard the word 'Minish' until today... but he was definitely one of them." Rinku's voice was fond and sad. "I couldn't understand a word he said, but I knew he meant the best. He was my friend... a companion throughout the journey. Though he would probably say he was more of a babysitter, keeping me from doing stupid things." A little laugh escaped him. "I miss him..." He felt Four take hold of his hand and squeeze gently and he smiled faintly in thanks.

"I um... I called him Colors, because of the outfit he wore... it was different from those..." He gestured towards the small group. A small thoughtful frown crossed his face and he glanced over at Four who looked slightly nervous. "Now that I think about it... it kinda looked like yours."

When he averted his gaze, Rinku tilted his head, gently squeezing his hand. "Four?"

"...I didn't want to bring it up." He wouldn't look at him. "How do you even bring something like that up? It sounds insane."

"We're ten heroes, nine being named Link, traveling from Hyrule to Hyrule to fight monsters that bleed black with no idea where the source is. I think we've gone past insane." He pointed out gently. "But talk to me... please?"

"I..." Four faltered. How did he put this? "I'm sure it's obvious now... but I knew you... before the rest of us came back to your Hyrule. Like how Twilight was Wild's companion... I was yours." He fiddled with his tunic, clearly struggling with how to explain this. "I don't know how I got there... just remember waking up there... and when the girls brought me to you... I just knew... I knew had to stick with you." He still wouldn't look at him.

"For not telling you sooner... I'm so-" Four tensed as he was abruptly cut off by a tight hug.

"I'm sorry for worrying you so much." He blinked at Rinku's words. "It... made me feel so guilty when I saw you getting upset if I was hurt or if I did something that could have gotten me hurt or worse." The ex guard pulled back just enough for their eyes to meet.

"I'm not upset that you didn't tell me. We've all got secrets after all." He smiled faintly before leaning down to press a tender kiss to his lips. "I'm just glad I get to see you again... to be with you..."

Four could feel his cheeks and the tips of his ears burning, but nothing was going to wipe the smile off his face. It didn't stop him however, from reaching up and suddenly yanking on Rinku's ear causing him to yelp.

"That is for being stupid and setting off that chain of bomb barrels with Wild when Wolfie and I told you no!"

"Owowowow, FOUR!"

Mini Bonus:

"Clearly you understood Hylian... could you not speak it?"

"No, I could and still can when I'm in Minish form."

"Then why didn't you??"

"Because you kept doing stupid things, so that was my own form of payback."

"Oh you...!"

The Chain is not even going to ask why they've come across Rinku and Four wrestling in the campsite. Wild snickered silently while Twilight merely sighed, both having a general idea what was happening.

Minish Translations:

Edusuam aw nesamira! - Not a mouse! Agek o atihs omak nesamerihs! Atana ag uraednezna ot nihsukak etihs iani on in, ezan atana aw inan'nos anobum otok o urus usedon ak?! - You could have gotten hurt! Why would you do something so reckless when you didn't know for sure you would be safe?! Atana aw ihsataw o aragawok ates... Ihsataw aw attomo... Ihsata aw atana o uoraduanihsu ot attomo... - You frightened me... I thought... I thought I was going to lose you... Anakoro... Atana aw ometot usedakoro... Ihsakihs, omotukanukus atana aw okok in usami. Omotukanukus atana aw usednezna... - Stupid... you are so damn stupid... but at least you are here. At least you are safe... Ihsataw aw… Aberekanaki ianaran… - I... I have to go... Atana ot okok in uri otok aw ometot ihsarabus usedotok... Abotok aw ihsataw ag odoherod esawaihs ak o negoyh urus otok aw nesamiked... Nezna o ohukak etihs iasaduk... Iagato on awes o etihs iasaduk... - It has been so wonderful to be here with you... Words cannot express how happy I am... Please be safe... look after one another... Ihcamodot - Friend

[jadeender]

The Fortress of Light and Darkness Part 3

After they had left the musical puzzle everyone was on edge but overall the mood had lightened. Sky was still downcast, Four had seen the way he looked at the harp in disgust, as though it was the worst thing ever made. It had to be Stygian but soon they would reach the top of the fortress and would be able to be separated from the darks. 

He’d be able to see Shadow again! Not to say having Shadow in his head wasn’t nice but soon Shadow would be his own person again. That thought fueled him as Four and the others traversed the fortress. 

The hallways they traveled were well lit and spacious, they just seemed to go on forever. The group would activate the occasional switch to reveal a new passage or fight off weak enemies to open a door but nothing complicated like the musical puzzle. 

After what they presumed to be a couple hours the group stopped to rest, without windows and with the constant light it was hard to tell whether it was day or night.

“While we’re stopped we should get some rest. Only an hour or two, we’ll need to be at our best when we get to Veran.” Legend said. 

Four nodded. They all knew to take Legend at face value, anyone who was powerful enough to do this to them had to have some tricks up their sleeve.

“What powers does she have?” Four signed.

“Mainly she shoots fireballs, but her most annoying ability is being able to possess people. The only way to get her out of a host last time was to use magic seeds but I don't have any left. So we’ll have to keep her from possessing anyone.” Legend finished his face grim.

“Any other surprises we should be expecting?” Wild asked. Legend just shook his head.

“That's all I can remember, if she manages to possess someone their skin will go completely blue. That's all I can think of.” 

“Good to know. You all get some sleep, I’ll wake you in an hour.” Twilight ordered and the others easily obliged, even Wild who normally would have insisted to help watch. 

Four feel asleep quickly his hood acting as a pillow.

____________________________________________________________________________

A little while later Twilight was calling for them all to wake up and as Four awoke he stretched and yawned. Turning to Legend Four tried to tell his friend something only to have his voice grate against his messed up vocal chords, the pain of it catching in his throat.

The others looked at him in worry as Four gripped his throat and coughed, a small amount of blood came out into his hand. Still after all this time it hadn’t even healed enough to allow him to speak a little bit. Sign was a fine substitute for most things but still, he missed laughing and singing. 

“Four?” Legend asked looking at him in worry.

“Fine.” He signed back before taking on a “I promise.”

With more reassurances the others left him alone and kept going, they tracked along spacious hallways adorned with light colored bricks and red carpet under their feet, something more fitting of Hyrule Castle. Not that any of them would have complained, better than the dark and dank tunnels of the temples, palaces, and dungeons they’d traversed before. 

As they rounded another corner the roof of the hallway began to slope down towards the end, curious they continued on and the hallway continued to narrow and grow shorter. Four watched the walls noting how the gentle change turned to a rapid one, before long Sky and Twilight were slouching a lot, soon Wild and Legend were too.

When the tunnel got to crawling height they began to worry. 

“Should we go back?” Wild asked the others sitting down his head nearly scraping the ceiling. 

“No, there weren’t any other paths back there. This has to be another puzzle somehow.” Legend observed.

Four had a sinking feeling this particular puzzle was somehow oriented around him. 

Four shook his head and caught the others attention, he signed “I'll go, make sure we can get through.”

After a curt nod from Twilight Four turned and started down the hallway, if need be he could shrink down to minish size, or even if he just split any one of them was smaller than their combined form. 

So he continued on down the mind bendingly long tunnel, feeling as it got tighter and tighter, a feeling he wasn’t quite accustomed to being as small as he is. Eventually he got the point where he was crawling along on his belly and his head kept hitting the ceiling. He has long ago stopped being able to see his friends, and he had no way to communicate at this distance either since he couldn’t shout. 

Finally he got frustrated and grabbed onto the feather that served as an earring on his left ear and spoke a quick spell, the familiar buzz of magic took over and within moments he had shrunk down to his minsh form, this form being barely four inches tall the space that had felt cramped now was open and wide. Four scurried forward to get through the tunnel as quickly as possible. 

Scurrying along the hall he soon came to a small door, Four opened the door noticing how only in minish size would anyone fit through. Whatever this was it had clearly been designed for him.

As he went through the door he found himself in a room bearing four doors each with weighted switches in front of them. Though the room was still minish sized. Walking over to one switch he stepped onto it causing the door in front of him to open, testing a theory he momentarily stepped off causing the door to go shut again.

Sighing Four grabbed his sword which had shrunk down with him and called upon its latent power, the feeling of his mind being pulled apart took over and soon Four minish heroes stood staring at each other. 

“We’re on a time limit.” Green signed. “Never been split while small before.”

The others nodded while Green continued, “Where’s Shadow?”

Blue raised his hand, the usually hot tempered hero signed deftly unused to having to think about that, since Green usually handled it. 

“Take one door each.” Vio signed to his brothers and they nodded taking up spots in front of each door. Once they did the doors opened as Green counted down, 3, 2, 1, go. Quickly all four took off down their hallways.

____________________________________________________________________________

As they scurried down the hallways each copy encountered twists and turns. It was like being a mouse in a maze, and their frustration only grew higher.

“I can't do this anymore!” Blue said to Shadow flopping down on the tunnel floor. “We’re never getting out, I’m just going to wait here for the others to find me.”

“They won’t be able to find you here, and you know what happens when you stay apart for too long.” Shadow warned, normally he wouldn’t have been very talkative but Blue needed the encouragement, otherwise the dark knew he would just sit here and fume until exhaustion overtook them from being apart for so long. “We really will be stuck here forever if you don’t get moving.”

“You’re just as bad as Green.” Blue’s voice mumbled inside their head as he stood up and kept going.

Soon they ran into a new room, this one big like the four hallways, but had only two doors. 

Above them was an inscription “Two doors, one will lead to your reward, the other will lead to your death, choose the right door or perish.”

By this point Blue was exhausted mentally and physically, he was annoyed and he was tired. The few hours of sleep they had gotten only served to make his irritability worse. Noticing the three other tunnels on the wall behind him Blue and Shadow decided the others would likely be there soon.

In line with that prediction the others slowly arrived, first Vio, then Green and finally Red. 

“So, which door do we choose?” Vio signed after Red finished hugging them all. It wasn’t often they were separated anymore so Red had to get his hugs when he could. 

“Why don't we open them both and see?” Blue offered passing on the suggestion from Shadow.

“We might not be able to go back once its open.” Green signed looking at the doors and the surrounding area. 

“It says to choose the ‘right’ door so we should take the left.” Vio signed.

“Why?”

“It's a reverse idea, putting what seems like the right answer but is actually wrong.” Vio explain giving a calculating look over the door.

“Legend did say Veran was cunning. Let's do it.” Green affirmed nodding his head. The four of them headed to the door almost knocking into each other. 

“Oh right.”

____________________________________________________________________________

The once again merged Four opened the left door and carefully walked down the hallways it bended and twisted but never turned, after a time he noticed it began to get bigger again, and bigger, until he could have fit in it a full size. Speaking the reverse incantation Four grew back to full size as his animal like minish features reverted to normal Hylian.

Once he was full size again he heard voices not far away. So he continued forward quickly and soon found himself back in the original hallway, with the other four heroes he had awoken with.

When they noticed him emerging Wild and Twilight ran to him.

“What happened?”

“Did you find the way?”

“It's been hours.”

He signed as quickly as he could without losing meaning, telling them about the tunnels and the maze, and then finally the doors. As he reached that point in his story a voice drifted out.

“So the rat has made it through my maze, and in only a few short hours. Pity, I had hoped it would take days. You may proceed.” As Veran’s voice drained away the hallways warped and turned from the cramped space into a wide hallway once again with a staircase rising in front of them.

“I did it.” Four signed looking up at his friends. His stomach grumbled loudly and his last thought before passing out was “I forgot how much energy that was going to take.”