#they were alone at first then led to twi

[kings-of-the-arctic-sea]

catboy cowboy .

catboy cowboy . . . ?

catboy cowboy

[cat-less version below cut]

[hero-of-the-wolf]

Enabling you to yap about some headcanons you have for the chain (or any animal facts that you have in store. You always have some fascinating facts)

Time and Lullaby were childhood best friends that grew apart as they got older. They start to reconnect again later in life, when Time joined the war effort against Ganondorf and the Gerudo.

(and then he dies)

Time and Malon have a little girl together 🫶

stealing this from @crazylittlejester but Time’s joints are kinda messed up after transforming so often (esp when he was y’know still growing) so his joints will pop out really easily and get really sore

Time is the OG animal lover. Where do you think Twilight got it from?

side note— I love the idea of Malon becoming something More after her death. You can still hear her singing at night if you listen very closely, mysterious bad things happen to people who hurt horses, Twilight strangely never feels alone, that sort of thing :)

Warriors was very close to his mother. She passed away during the war, and he didn’t find out until after he returned home 💔

(my first thought is that she died from disease, which always runs rampant during war. but maybe, perhaps, Wars’ home village was razed by monsters 👀)

Warriors had two close friends during the war. One died in his arms. The other one betrayed him and directly led to him getting captured by Cia 💔

depressed Twi 🫶 anxious Twi 🫶 Twi with chronic pain 🫶

Hyrule gets chronic headaches and dizzy spells, esp when he overuses his magic :)

Hyrule’s dark world form is an opossum 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

Legend enjoys knitting!! it’s a nice calming activity that helps him destress, and he really enjoys working with his hands :)

LEGEND MADE THE DOLLS FOR HYRULE. LEGEND KNITS AND HE MADE THE DOLLS AFTER HE WENT BACK HOME BC HE MISSED RULIE AND THEN HE IMBUED THEM WITH MAGIC AND HID THEM AROUND FOR HIS SUCCESSOR TO FIND

I also hc he has a lot of chronic pain 🫶

[ahanarhorse]

What am I if not your guard? Chapter 4

Wild makes a good(bad?) decision and saves someone else at the cost of himself.

First chapter -- Previous -- Next

AO3 Link

Warnings: battle, knives, stabbing, almost drowning

Chapter 4: Death like an ocean, savior like the sky.

Sky quite liked knives.

Not these knives.

Specifically the one flying towards his face.

Sky was a whittler, he knew now to use knives. He was safe as long as he used them correctly and wasn’t reckless. Of course he could be dangerous, he was a hero after all.

But still, normally he was fine with knives. 

Except when they were trying to kill him. 

They had been transported to Warrior’s Hyrule and were walking until they found the castle. Warriors kept saying he knew where they were going. That was questioned when they almost fell off a cliff, again. 

No one wanted a repeat of last week.

The time when Wild was found, busted skull and bleeding body, sacrificing himself for Four.

He had gotten quite a lecture after that stunt, and was now being mothered by Twilight. He couldn't go anywhere without the rancher watching him like a farmer watching a cucco. 

Wild was grumbling about it, but not pulling any of his normal stunts. He didn’t like being watched, that was for sure, but he wasn’t climbing trees or diving off cliffs like he normally would. It seemed like for once he was giving Twi an easy time. 

And it would have been easy, if not for the fight. 

Warriors had led them in another circle when he finally gave up. They rested by a pond for a while before deciding to hike up a cliff to try to see where they were. 

Wild had offered to climb alone since he was the fastest, but no one let him, so there they were, all hiking up the mountain side. 

At least the view was nice. There was a beautiful waterfall right next to rolling hills, fields of flowers and forests of pine trees. It was peaceful. 

The group was hiking up, some taking in the clear air, some panting from exertion and lack of breaks. Wild had run up a little ways, looking at the view. Twilight had yelled at him to stay close, but didn’t try to catch up.

The champion was about to yell something back when an arrow flew out of the sky and struck him in the leg. 

Wild fell with a cry, and the rest of the group started sprinting to get closer to him. 

When the group got to where he was, Wild had already pulled himself up and was returning fire to a band of men. Each hero ignored their shortness of breath and started attacking the group. 

It seemed to be a band of outlaws hiding up in the mountains. They were armed with bows, swords and throwing knives. 

Sky did not like knives. 

Someone threw one at him and it thunked into a tree by his head. This was not good. 

Sky didn’t have enough energy for this. He had used most of it trying to keep pace with the others when climbing the mountain. He barely had enough energy to dodge the attacks, much less get into a swordfight. 

Someone else better have a plan. 

And it seemed they did. 

Several of the heroes had already taken down a few of the outlaws. Warriors was interrogating the captured while others went after those who were still loose. 

The one throwing knives at Sky was hit over the head, and Hyrule gave Sky a big smile before dragging his victim away. 

Sky heaved in another breath, now that he wasn’t in immediate danger he could actually breathe. The battle had been quick and short, the heroes trying to take hostages rather than kill. 

The bandits were rounded up and Warriors was talking to Time, planning to take them back to the castle. If they could find the castle. 

Sky leaned against a tree, taking deep breaths and admiring the view from where he was at. 

In just a moment, he spun around. Someone cried, and the knife throwing guy had broken free. He launched a knife directly at Sky, directly at his face. 

Sky was frozen, paralyzed, unable to move as he saw his fate coming closer and closer. At the last moment he was pushed out of the way, someone tackling him.

An impact, long blond hair, a blue tunic, and blood. 

That was all he saw before he was stumbling out of the way, stumbling closer towards the side of the cliff. 

The same blond hair and blue tunic that was laying on the ground watched him, watched him swing his arms and tumble off the cliff. 

The same blond hair and blue tunic ran and dove after him. 

And that was what he saw, blond hair, a blue tunic and a frightened face, right before he fell into a river. 

The water plunged around him. All the air escaped his lungs, both from the impact and from the frigid temperature. He tried to gasp in air, but it was only water that he got instead. He started to flail, trying to get to the surface, trying to get back to his brothers. He panicked, choked on water, and ended up breathing more in. It hurt, a pain erupted in his lungs as water swirled around his slowly darkening vision.

All he saw before it was black was blond hair and blue eyes.

---

The chain could only watch. Could only watch as one of the men broke free and threw a knife at Sky. Could only watch as Wild pushed Sky out of the way and took the hit. Could only watch as Sky fell off the mountain. 

Could only watch as Wild dove after him. 

And now they watched, looking down at the river below, looking at two forms quickly disappearing into the water. 

Legend had almost dove in after them, it was only Time’s hand that stopped him.

Instead they were all making their way as fast as they could down the mountainside. 

Warriors, Time and Four had stayed to watch the prisoners. The rest were flying down the hill, trying to get to the river so far down below. 

If only they had taken shield surfing lessons from Wild when he had offered them. Some of them could do it, but not as well as the champion, and with two injured and a mountainside to get down, trying something new and dangerous wasn’t their first plan.

They got down to the river quick enough. Quick enough to see two bodies floating down soon after they got there. 

Most of the heroes quickly ran into the strong current and pulled both of them out. Wild had grabbed a hold of Sky and had been trying to keep both of them afloat. He had somehow changed into his zora gear, but it was almost not enough.

Twilight grabbed both of them and dragged them to shore.

Sky was unconscious and had probably swallowed a lot of water. Legend helped him while Hyrule looked on.

Wild didn’t look good either. He was almost out of it, tracking Twilight’s movements and then staring off into the sky. 

Blood was seeping through his clothes, one spot on his shoulder where he had taken the knife for Sky and another spot on his leg where he had been shot at the beginning of the battle. 

Twilight was about to say something when Wild faded out again, going limp against his arm. This kid has gotta stop giving him heart attacks.

Thank you everyone for reading!! Comments are appreciated!

[januaryembrs]

AD ASTRA - CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHPT XI. THE REVENGE

Description: With your team turning their backs on you, you and Mando have only twenty minutes before your clan of three are doomed.

Length: 5k

main masterlist

AD ASTRA MASTERLIST

Din Djarin x Jedi!reader series. Friends to lovers, (Somewhat) slowburn, female!reader, JEDI!READER, possible smut, jealous!mando, reader has problematic childhood, fluff, saviour complex!mando, canon star wars characters mentioned, Obi wan x padawan!reader, dad!obi wan, general star wars bloodshed etc\

Chapter Triggers - harassment, death, blood, make do surgery, aggression, foul language, fighting.

AD ASTRA PER ASPERA

“To the stars through hardships”

"Was that thing blinking before?" Mayfeld asked, the room silent as the crew realised what Xi'an's impatience had done, "Was it?"

"No, it wasn't. He must have activated it when he dropped," You hissed at Xi'an, who simply laughed darkly with not a trace of remorse at her actions.

"Zero to Mayfeld. Zero to Mayfeld." The droid's robotic voice sounded through the comlink on the bald man's arm, though you already had an idea of what he was going to say next."I detected a New Republic distress signal homing in on your location. You have approximately 20 minutes."

Twenty minutes. That was all; before a band of X-Wings came to blast any sign of intruding life with no questions asked.

The kid. The Crest. Your heart sunk into your stomach, and you felt the Mandalorian tense up too as the dread filled him. There was no way the ship would escape the attack, nor would the kid be safe to float around hyperspace alone were you and Mando to die in this hellhole.

One wrong move and your little trio was truly fucked.

Xi'an shrugged, much too calm for the shit-storm of a situation that she had just caused and trotted towards the exit of the control room, "We only need five."

You let out a bitter sigh as Mayfeld hurried you along to follow the Twi woman, the urgency in his tone unmissable.  It seems you weren’t the only one attuned to how dumb the woman’s actions had been. "Let's go, let's go, move, move, move, move!"

The team - well their team, you and Mando - ran down the corridors following Mayfeld, who listened to Zero's instructions with crucial interest. You all stopped in your tracks seeing two large units of security droids, readying themselves to start shooting at them only for Burg to become useful for the first time all day. The Devaronian man picked up one of the droids in his hulking red hands, throwing it at the other one; the force and weight of the units alone was enough to crush them into a pile of sparks and scrap metal.

You stayed silent, continuing on their mission to find whoever was in the prison cell Mayfeld had located, coming to a halt in front of cell two-two-one, "Zee, open it up."

"You have 15 minutes remaining." The droid responded unhelpfully, making you roll your eyes and shift on your feet nervously.

"Open it up!" Mayfeld practically yelled, the pressure also eating away at him.

The door slid open to reveal yet another violet Twi'lek, only this one was much taller and buffer than Xi'an, clearly a male. Mando straightened up at the sight of the prisoner, and the tension that had been thick in the air only increased by tenfold.

"Qin..." Mando said, not liking where this interaction was leading. It was much too convenient that the job he had happened to accept was the same one which led to the release of the guy he was responsible for putting behind bars in the first place. He didn't like the feeling of deceit burning in his stomach and his mind reeled over the possibilities of what the group was about to do to him and you.

This was not good. They were not good.

"Funny. The man who left me behind is now my saviour." Qin said coldly, strolling out of his cell with his eyes trained on the beskar covered man, "Mando."

Before Din could react, a heavy punch was sent to his stomach, so hard it sent him flying back into the cell Qin had just been in, his breath escaping him with a low woosh.

"No!" You yelled as the door shut on him, feeling your blasters get snatched out of your utility belt and cuffs getting locked around your hands. Xi'an smiled at you smugly, kicking you to the floor beside the cell.

"Best say your goodbyes now, princess. You and lover boy haven't got much time left," The Twi'lek woman cackled, strutting away knowing you wouldn't follow as you weren’t stupid enough to think you could take on all four of them when they had blasters and you were now somewhat immobilised. "You deserve this!" was all Xi'an yelled as you watched the group run back towards the crest, making you scramble to your feet.

"Mando!" You yelled, watching the man get to his feet shakily no doubt in shock at the turn of events, "Are you okay?"

"You need to get out of here," Din said, walking up to the door where your scared expression waited for him, "Get back to the ship, or get your blasters back so you can overpower them-"

"I'm not leaving you here,"You said incredulously at what you were hearing, "We're in this together now, di'kut, [idiot] I'm not going anywhere without you. I need you as much as the kid does."

Mando was silent staring at your shaken face, the precious seconds before your imminent doom ticking by. Din opened his mouth to say something, hating the way your eyes glared up at him sadly for insinuating you leave him to die, only to hear a remaining security droid stomping down the hallway towards them. You looked at him, orbs wide with a plan springing to mind.You tucked yourself behind the pillar closest to Mando's cell, waiting for the droid to inch closer.

The second it came into view, you attacked.

You grabbed its blaster loaded arm, yanking it towards you whilst dodging the charges sent from it in your direction. You slammed the droid's head into the cell door, Mando seeming to catch on to your plan as he grabbed the droid's arm through the open space in the wall, tugging on it hard. You held the struggling machine still while the Mandalorian ripped its arm out of its socket, taking the data probe extension with it. You dodged the oil that spilled out of the droid's broken circuit, as well as a few one-armed punches the machine haphazardly tried to send your way, watching the Mandalorian shoot it dead using its own gun. He stuck the probe into the waiting hole on his side of the wall, opening the cell door.

The two nodded at each other breathlessly before Mando headed towards the control panel with you following behind.

"We'll cut them off before they can get to the crest, make a direct passage to it that we can take and disable them so they can't come after us."

You nodded as you reached the control room, both of you trying not to stare dejectedly at Davan's dead body.

"Give me your commlink, I'll retune it so we can only hear each other," You said, grabbing his metal vambraced arm and fiddling with the wiring inside his panel. He let you do so with no protest to the closeness it brought, both of you not having the time to be in your head about the fact this level of intimacy, even so innocent, was still new to both of you. Mando shut off the lights in the corridors, hearing Xi'an's annoyed yelps as the doors began boxing them in like a rat run.

"Burg's heading this way, Xi'an a little behind him. You take her out, take her back to the cell and we'll keep them in there," Mando explained, pulling out the probe extension he'd ripped from the droid, "Qin and Mayfeld are further ahead, we still need Qin if we're going to get the money and keep Ran off us. We can deal with them together,"

You nodded, finishing up on the circuitry in his suit with a satisfying click shut, though it was somewhat fiddly seeing as the cuffs were still locked tight around your wrists.

You looked up at him somberly, knowing you’d have to part ways briefly to get back to the ship and a short panic set over you; the same panic as when you'd watched the laser brain get thrown into the cell not ten minutes earlier. "I'll see you at the ship," You said, almost forcing the promise onto him that he would be there before the New Republic came for you.

He nodded, understanding what you meant, and you set off with the plan. You ran down the nearest corridor, ducking into one of the side halls as the Devaronian man stalked past you angrily. You waited, knowing another set of lighter footsteps would soon follow along with the headache that Xi'an had given you all day.

Sure enough, as you heard the Twi'lek woman giggled with delight, you watched her pick up her pace when she saw Mando and Burg struggling for dominance in the control room. Before she could join in, however, you tackled her to the ground, wrestling one of the duel knives out of her hand as you managed to get on top of her stomach. The Twi woman, though caught off guard, didn't settle lightly and scratched viciously at your restrained arms enough to be able to gain some freedom to move her upper body.

That is; her arms and the singular lethal weapon in them.

You barely missed the blade that surely would have sliced your eye clean open, not having time to avoid the next attack that was rammed into your shoulder blade deeply. You half grunted-half screamed at the shock of the injury, feeling the blood already begin to seep out of the wound and into the fabric of your top. It was times like these you wished you had your own suit of beskar.

You had to collect your thoughts quickly, the situation not allowing for the virtue of mulling over the pain, and pinned your assailant's two purple arms to the floor as best you could, considering you still had the cuffs on your wrists. There was some fight for strength between you two: Xi'an fighting to wriggle her blade-wielding hand free once more for another blow and you trying to get the remaining knife out of her grasp.

It wasn't until you decided to change your tactic that you even moved from the position you two were in. Taking a chanced breath through the pain in your shoulder, you let go of her wrists. As you hoped, Xi'an immediately stuck her hand out violently, aiming for your exposed throat. You were quick to catch her upper arm, however, using your thighs to roll the Twi onto her front, her outstretched arm pinned down using your boot. The chain of the cuffs was wrapped around Xi'an's throat with just enough pressure to cut off the oxygen, remembering Mando's plan to keep them alive. You felt Xi'an struggle under you for a while, hands clasped firmly around her blade as she had been all day, but to no avail as your leg stayed firmly in place. Finally, she fell limp under you, leaving you to retrieve your blaster from the thieving creature's pocket, and sling her over your shoulder like dead weight.

You half jogged down the hallway to the empty cell, only to see Mando leading Burg in there at blaster point. You nodded at one another, Xi'an being thrown unceremoniously into the cell next to the angry Devaronian who seemed resigned to losing the fight. Sure enough, as soon as the door shut, a Mandalorian and an ex-padawan were running to confront the remaining two of your crew.

"You go get the bounty, you know what he's capable of better than I do. I'll sort Mayfeld out and be back on the ship before the X-Wings get here," You explained making him nod, though a frown remained on your face, "If I'm not back by the time it reaches three minutes, leave and get the kid to safety,"

Mando's head snapped towards you at that part, the pair of you reaching a crossroads in the hallway and realising you’d have to split up here.

"What happened to 'we're in this together'?" He asked gruffly through his helmet, feeling the time creeping up on you.

"Give me the probe, and you can scold me later when we're on the ship, safely," You said, the silent promise of a reunion between you in your voice.

You pessimistically knew it was entirely possible that you would be out of time. But as long as they were safe, as long as he was safe, you didn’t care.

He did as you said, knowing you didn't have time to discuss details properly and ran in the opposite direction, praying to the maker he'd see those worried eyes again.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Incidentally, Mayfeld was much easier to catch now you had your blaster back, and you were helped greatly by the strobing red lights illuminating the halls making it easy to sneak up on the guy. You’d quickly disarmed him and had him walking to the cell like a punished child at blaster point, locking him in the compartment with the rest of the crew you’d met not a few hours prior.

You ran full speed back to the ship, knowing there was only a few minutes left before the heavy shooting would start. You sighed with relief when you saw the ladder rings in between the flashes of darkness, taking them two at a time in the haste you were in. You were so deep in your thoughts, hoping you'd made it with enough time for Mando to take off that you gasped when you felt a hand grab your own. You looked up, seeing the familiar helmet staring back at you and took the other outstretched gloved fingers, letting Mando practically pull you up the rest of the way.

"Thanks," You breathed, noting the Twi man you'd encountered earlier stood cuffed to one of the seats in the hull with an angry look on his face, no doubt about being separated from his sister, "Now let's get out of here"

You followed Mando up to the cockpit, smiling when you heard the little happy coo you were now accustomed to. The child sat in the co-pilot's chair, the one you usually sat in and glanced up at you with open arms and a glint in his big midnight eyes.

"Not right now squirt, we've got to make a move," You explained, watching Mando rapidly punch in the coordinates for Ran's warehouse and quickly jump into hyper-space following it. The pair of you were silent for a moment, slouching in relief that you’d escaped the inevitable fury of the New Republic's blasters. You allowed yourself just a minute with your thoughts to contradict the fast-paced past twenty minutes both of you had endured. You'd quite literally escaped with minutes  to spare.

Just as you were ready to make a joke about Mando patching you up again, your shoulder aching heavily from where Xi'an had stabbed you, your mouth dropped lightyears when you saw the man pull out the tracking beacon he must have stolen from Davan's hands when he had been fighting Burg.

"Are you kriffing stupid-"

"I thought I'd give Ran a taste of his own medicine for deceiving us," Mando explained, watching the woman's face smooth out, though there was worry in your eyes as you stared at the beeping device incredulously.

"I thought I was petty," You joked, wincing when the Crest dropped out of hyperspace and your shoulder was thrown against the seat. Mando watched you closely, figuring you must have been caught at some point during the day but your dark shirt hadn't allowed for any visible injuries. He cursed himself, just as he had done not a week ago when he realised he still hadn't gotten any bacta as he had been planning on using the rewards from this trip to buy some and figured he'd have to play nurse droid once more. Not that he was complaining exactly.

"Stay here, I'll fix you up when I get back. Find the nearest planet that sells supplies while you're at it," Mando instructed, initiating the auto-landing sequence and heading back down to the hull to retrieve his pay and to give Ran his little gift. The thought alone of the smarmy old man getting what was coming to him made you smile. That and the fact Mando immediately had offered to mend you instead of leaving you to fend for yourself like you expected him to. It's not that you thought he didn't care, you knew for a fact he did, but the way you had gotten into a routine, slotted into place with one another where it was his job to patch you up after a job as it was yours to him gave you a warm, homely feeling in your stomach.

You really were the closest thing to home you could be.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

You barely missed the sight of the X-Wings arriving, though you heard the satisfying explosion behind you, as Mando had set the ship on course for the planet you had located for him, the two of you chuckling cynically at the sound of revenge reverberating through the atmosphere.

You went silent for a moment, the child squirming in Mando's lap to play with the teeny metal ball on the end of one of the controls protruding from the dashboard, making you laugh once more.

"We can get this one some decent food from a cantina here, better than that swill you make him," Mando teased, as you stood to retrieve the first aid kit that sat above the passenger chairs. You scoffed, offended at his words though you knew from his tone he was lying.

That he was too. He could tell you weren't the most natural of cooks, but whatever Peli had taught you on Tatooine clearly had stuck as the meals you made were just as good as his.

You swivelled to look at him, giving his helmet a quick rap with your knuckles in scolding for his mean words, only making him snort. "Cheeky bastard,"

You finally reached up to retrieve the kit, using your good side of course. You could feel the dribble of hot blood running down your arm at this point, but you hadn't had the time to care only to swear under your breath at the heavy stinging sensation you felt. Part of you, no matter how many wounds you both gave and received, was scared to look at where Xi'an had caught you knowing it would look like something from a horror holo-film, judging by how much blood you could feel pooling out of it.

"How bad is it?" Mando asked, watching you wince as you attempted to push down your shirt to give him access to the wound, onto to realise it was too tight around your neck and gave no freedom to do so.

"Xi'an caught me with that knife of hers," You explained, looking up at the dark T-Visor that stared at you, watching your actions with acute concern, "I'm going to need to take this off,"

Din went deadly silent at that, his face lighting up with a hot blush at the thought of seeing you in just your bra. He had been with women in that way, he'd had flings that he'd done some things with like with Xi'an, but it felt strangely intimate the thought of seeing his friend, dare he say best friend, in nothing more than your underwear while he tended to you.

He nodded robotically, and you yourself felt a little embarrassed that Mando would get a close-up view of your lingerie, even if it was politely. He could stare at the two mounds on your chest all he liked and you wouldn't know any different, what with him hiding behind that helmet of his. You stood, yanking your shirt up over your head only to feel a wet streak left on your cheek in its wake. Mando inhaled deeply, and you were about to tease him about his reaction were it not for the fact you realised it was because of the gaping hold near you collar bone.

"Stars, Ash" He said, looking at the oozing, nasty wound that had somewhat begun to stop bleeding thankfully, though it still left a patch of fresh red liquid around your chest. You sat down on the co-pilot chair, the child on the floor staring up at you quietly, as Mando unwrapped some surgical suture, and fiddled with a fresh needle. He handed you an antiseptic wipe to clean up the area and told you to compress the wound while he attempted to thread the needle.

"This isn't going to tickle is it?" You asked, dread gathering in your stomach at the thought of what was about to happen and to such a tender spot too. The Mandalorian shook his head, concentrating on the tiny eye that the thread seemed adamant to miss every time, and the thick leather gloves did him no help either. Din sighed, resting the needle down on his knee and yanking his gloves off, knowing they were only slowing him down and your wound needed treating now.

You took in a deep breath at the sight of his hands; huge, olive-skinned, and veins prominent over each digit. You hadn't been expecting to see any part of him ever, truth be known, but you knew from Shenzi that anything besides a Mandalorian's face was acceptable to reveal. Still a feeling close to butterflies lit your body on fire as he brought one of his large palms to hold your shoulder still. Your heart was beating rapidly, you could feel that much, and you just hoped that the Mandalorian didn't see the way your arms erupted in goosebumps despite the fact his hand was so warm as it engulfed your collar bone with the gentility of a child.

Your breath was in your throat as he moved closer, bringing his other uncovered hand holding the threaded needle up to your wound. Din felt his stomach twist excitedly when your cool breath fanned over his exposed hand gently, reminding him how close the two were in this situation.

"This is going to hurt," Din warned, watching you wince as he began to stitch up your deep injury. He tried to be tender, he really did, but there was only one way he could fix your up without bacta and this was it. He had quickly noted the multiple tattoos you had on your body and decided to try and take your mind off the obvious pain you were feeling. "What do your tattoos mean?"

You were caught off guard a little, trying so hard yourself to ignore the shooting pain from his movements, and took a deep breath to prepare yourself to speak through the discomfort.

"The names on my ribs, that’s my father and my brother," you explained, your eyes trailing over the Aurebesh symbols spelling out 'Obi-Wan' and 'Anakin'.

"I thought you said you only had a mentor at that place you grew up," Mando questioned, trying to keep you talking as the next few stitches would have to be deep.

"I did-" You stopped to grunt at the pain for a second, "He was my mentor but he was like a father to me. Same for Ani, he wasn't my real brother, but he was as good as. Obi-Wan raised him before he raised me. It was in our rules that you could only have one mentor to youngling at a time. When Ani became of age, he moved on to raise his own youngling and Obi-Wan began raising me."

"Was it like some sort of orphanage this place you lived in?" You laughed, knowing the details you had given didn't really make sense, and why would they? They were only half true.

"Kind of," You smiled at him sweetly, feeling his warm hand move slightly from your shoulder to pull the skin on your collar taught, and again you felt the flurry of warmth in your contact of human skin. The only time you had felt such a thing for the past twenty years was either the meaningless one night stands you would have with the barmen on Sorgan or the hard clash of a punch you found in an enemy. Nothing quite so tender as this, as him. "The Mythosaur skull was Shenzi. I wanted one as soon as I turned twenty. She’d been teaching me for a couple of years at that point and was adamant I should be one of you," You gasped as one particular stitch went a bit too close to a nerve making Mando slow down a little with his movements, "She used to call me her foundling,"

"What happened to her?" Din asked, taking his time with the remaining few stitches. He knew it was selfish as you were probably in a lot of pain but he loved hearing you speak so fondly about your past, you rarely opened up to each other this way. He too was enjoying the feeling of closeness today had brought, feeling his own heart pounding away at the feeling of your cool breath to his skin.

"Nothing, I just outgrew her. She was a cold woman. Though she cared for me, she didn't love me." You said, thinking about the raven black-haired woman who you hadn't seen in a few years, "Is that normal for Mandalorian's or was that just her?"

Din thought about it for a moment and, while they had certainly been more of the tough love kind of protectors, he definitely felt his own vod's [brothers/sisters] and cabur's [guardians] had loved him the way a family should have. Though he never saw their faces, they were his family, his aliit. "Aliit ori'shya tal'din", he remembered his cabur saying to him often.

Family is more than blood.

"No, they made sure I always knew that we were family, that we were a clan. Every foundling is sacred to them. They're the secret to our survival, and they are treated as such." You nodded, hearing the underlying passion in his words that he always got when he spoke of his people, you noted. You wondered if that's how you sounded when you spoke about the Jedi.

The pair of you were silent for a moment, Din finishing the remaining stitches and cutting the thread with his vibroblade effortlessly. He pulled out a bandage to wrap around your arm as it healed, the baby getting restless at the fact his protectors hadn't paid attention to him for the past fifteen minutes and begging to be picked up into your lap.

"What you had with Xi'an, was it-" You stopped yourself, thinking over your words carefully. You was treading on dangerous ground here, it was none of your business what the horrible Twi'lek woman had with the Mandalorian so you were careful not to let it slip just how much it bothered you at the idea of them together, "Is this a regular thing? You picking up women and traversing the galaxy?"

Mando stopped his movements of gently wrapping the fabric around your shoulder, meeting your curious eyes as best as he could through the darkened visor. Din swore, looking into your eyes which stared right back at him, that he could visit every planet in the galaxy and never find a hue quite like yours. You really were a beautiful woman, and he had no idea how he'd spent so long travelling the universe without finding someone or even something that compared to how you looked right now.

"Xi'an was just a workmate that kept the boredom at bay. Travelling with Ran was tedious at times and she happened to be there," Mando explained and your could do nothing but nod dumbly, your eyes trained on the child that seemed to sense the weird mix of jealousy and sadness you felt, "There was nothing about her that I wanted other than her company on a cold night,"

Din didn't understand why he felt he had to reassure you that he and the Twi woman were nothing more than an occasional body to find intimacy in. Even that was a push, they were both bored and using each other to keep the loneliness away. And you didn't know why you wanted him to either. You had only seen Mando as a friend the past few months you had known each other, but since Xi'an had mentioned their past it knocked your confidence at how different he saw you to other women, and made you feel inadequate. Like the pedestal you had put him on since that night you stayed in the barn on Sorgen with him was not returned. You could be a passing face, completely ordinary and temporary for all you knew.

He noticed your expression was still somewhat forlorn like your question hadn't properly been answered and so he continued.

"You think I just pick up every strange drunkard I meet in a bar and call them a friend, Ash?" Your head shot up at the soft way he said your fraud name like he was approaching a wild creature, before he delivered the killing blow.

"She wasn't special to me, not like you are. None of them mean to me what you do."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

AD ASTRA

@zapsalis-d @mishasminion360 @itsnottilly @sebschicken @katialvI @lexloon @vampgguk @ajeff855 @thatonedindjarinfan @archaeoheart @sunipostsstuff @eternal-fandoms @fredd-weasley @lost-xim @laraschestakow @the-bottom-of-the-abyss @dessinemoiunehistoire @horsedragonllama @tongueofreadywriter @eury-dice3 @littlemissoblivious @call-me-soap @lovelylostminds @razzle-my-berries @phrog-seeds @iamdannyday @yourwonderbelle @lizziel1410 @fangirlalexia @jesfreedark @moonlessnight14

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Pedro Pascal

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So 👉🏻👈🏻 what do you think?

[ask-healthy-light]

Boom: hey spike do you mind sending this letter to light he's one of solars an twis freinds

Spike:ok sure

*as he hands spike the scroll the monster forces a vision apon boom a vision of his dear grieving Celestia right after banishing her sister having slaughtered a dragonness leaving only a small egg on the ground*

Spike:hey boom you ok you been staring at me for awhile dude

Boom:oh uh sorry kiddo I just lost my focus

*he quickly turns and walks away as the monster speaks in his mind*

"he's just another one of your victims ~just like everything else you'll destroy them all~ even if you kill me your still a monster how do you think light will react when you reveal your ture nature? He'll never help you but if you're lucky he might kill you~"

As he walked towards the young Drake, who was sitting on what was clearly a seat too big for him, seeing a smaller seat next to the one he was sitting on when he got close, Boom chuckled to himself, and grabbed a sealed scroll, to which a small bag was attached, along with the note that Pinkie had written, and moved the two parchments over to Spike, when he stopped in his tracks.

Before he could hand over the notes, Boom froze, and he stared out blankly in front of himself, as flashing before his eyes, without a single moment of warning, was a rapid stream of images, that Boom knew he had never seen nor experienced before, as it showed Celestia, alone, bruised and beaten, carrying away a small egg, clutched in her arms, as she left behind a terrible scene.

Her legs were hurt, and she walked with a limp, eventually having to carry the egg using her magic, which caused her tremendous pain, concentrating on keeping it safe, and, as she prepared to leave in flight, she turned around once more, with great pain in her eyes, looking upon a Dragoness, unmoving, her fire extinguished, and a growing puddle surrounding the body of her fallen foe.

Though the visions lasted barely a second, within his mind, Boom, strong-willed and unyielding, fought the Monster with words of strength, asking how It knew about this, for he did not know himself, though the only answer he got was that It knows more than Boom himself could ever realise, for surely, he must remember how powerful his senses were, the first time their powers merged?

Then, from what seemed like a great distance, Boom heard his name being called, continuously louder as the voice of the Monster shrunk, until he felt a gentle touch on his arms, startling him, though quickly calming down when finding both Pinkie and Spike at his sides, asking him if he was okay, to which he replied that he was, just that he lost his focus, as he heard faint laughter in his mind.

Still concerned for their friend, Pinkie and Spike took the parchments and the small bag from Boom, which Spike promptly sent off in a fiery breath, while Pinkie led Boom back to his seat, for he still appeared not to properly acknowledge their voices, ignorant to the grievous clash he fought in his mind, for It berated him, unrelentingly, Its hateful tone only growing in spite towards him.

When he finally was sat down in his seat, Pinkie stayed close to Boom, gently holding his hoof as the others grew evermore concerned, until, a little while later, Boom blinked harshly and gasped quietly, playing off his trance-like state as fatigue and concentration at the wrong time, leaving out the gruesome tale of the Dragoness' egg, from which the Drake, sitting across from him, grew.

Back in the Inn, returning to their room after speaking with Melon, Light's ears twitched, and the hairs on the back of their head stood upright, as they felt a strange feeling surge through their body, though they knew not whence it came, and they continued packing their bag, making sure that everything they had taken with them was safely stored, while also keeping an eye out for any peril.

Walking out of the room, carrying their satchel, noticing that the others were still in their rooms, they passed Melon again, telling her that they were heading back to the lounge to await further news there, and, should the news indeed be unfortunate, they promised her that they would let her know as soon as possible, thanking her, once again, for all of her help and support.

To this, Melon smiled as she blushed shyly yet proudly, and replied that she was glad to help, hoping that everything was to their liking, though before Light moved towards the lounge, Melon wondered aloud; if they have a number of strong magic users in their group, would it not be easier for them to teleport to the Empire, skipping the blockage on the rails entirely?

In turn, Light sighed and replied:

"I wish it were that simple."

(Thanks for reading! And if you enjoyed, please reblog! Thanks in advance!)

Send an ask or request! | Start at the beginning! | Next part!

Featuring: Boomlord from @thedumbguywithaheart43 Melon Grumps from @ask-a-grumpy-melon

[hannah-the-red-head]

A Third Submission to the Imagines Society”

(League of villains meets an Autistic child with a quirk that is the definition of too good for this world and then some)

You were a tiny thing when Twice, Toga and Magne stumbled across you at the park, staring intently at what looked like your shoes with your back turned.

Magne summarized that you were most likely around 5 or 6 years old based on the kindergarten uniform you wore, the adorable hat hanging on your back while your (h/l), (h/s) (h/c) was out and about. Usually, the tree would lose interest after a while and go about their merry way.

But there was something about you that made them stay, Toga’s curiosity getting the best of her as she skipped over to where you were on your knees, she then peeked over a shoulder to see you staring in awe at butterfly that was softly moving it’s wings while resting on the petals of a blossom planted in the nearby garden.

It was one that she had never seen before, well at least in real life, but the sandy blonde remembered that she had once seen it on the internet somewhere.

It was a monarch butterfly, and last she or anyone else knew, the species were hanging by a thread and close to extinction over the last 56 years. She had admit that the pictures were close to nothing compared to the real thing as Toga watched with starry eyes at how the orange colors splashed with black and white glowed in the sunlight.

Magne herself, followed by Twice then decided to follow toga’s lead when she began to giggle like an actual schoolgirl instead of the blood obsessed vampire they knew and loved. The two peeking at the sight of both you and Toga being the surprising perches of a collection of what looked to be more Monarch butterflies that seemingly appeared out of no where.

And one of them was perched right on the tip of Toga’s nose.

Meanwhile, you had taken notice that you had a butterfly watching buddy the second you felt her crouched down next to you, your glowing (e/c) eyes staring at her with curiosity before deciding that she was interesting enough for you to deem her harmless, despite not knowing the truth.

Because in your young and innocent head, anyone that appreciated butterflies as much as you did was a good person and/or possible friend in your book.

She looked at you when she felt your eyes on her and gave you a big smile, which from what you learned meant that she was happy. So that meant that she likes you too. You smiled widely back and a series of bright rainbow colored balls of light lifted themselves off your little form, your quirk creating more butterflies from them while your new friend’s eyes sparkled.

Your quirk was called Wonder, the specialist who gave it that name having been inspired by the same emotion felt after witnessing you use your quirk at first hand to bring a rat back to life after it had been killed by a mousetrap, and later on when they returned back to the room to see that it had been filled with butterflies flying beautifully above them.

Nowadays, you mainly used your quirk to create butterflies.

Why?

Because butterflies made you happy, they made you calm, they took your worries away... and watching them was akin to what your therapist at the orphanage called stimming, your hand movements if you easily became overwhelmed resembling a butterfly flapping it’s delicate wings.

You were also fond of anything that felt like the texture closest to what you thought butterfly wings looked. However, this obsession was also the reason why your were ostracized by the other children, ignored completely by them at the worst despite how hard the workers at the orphanage tried to explain what your condition was.

You didn’t understand why the workers had the need to get the other kids to like you, if you wanted friends, you’d get some yourself on your own.

And you never understood why you had to take speech therapy, wasn’t writing in your notebook enough? You hated loud noises, they scared away things, things that are... nice.

Things like butterflies and rats and rabbits and deer, which meant that you couldn’t appreciate them anymore if they left.

So, why was there a need to make noise or let alone talk? You could never control how loud your voice was anyways. You didn’t care about how sometimes you overheard the caretakers at the orphanage whispered things about how alien you acted.

Which led to where you were now, little you having completely forgotten that you were separated from the other children heading back towards the orphanage after school had finished when you eyes spotted a flower that looked familiar until your quirk manifested the butterfly.

They sounded as if you were broken as a human.

When in reality you weren’t, you weren’t broken and needed to be fixed. At first it made you believe those words, but the moments where your eyes caught onto anything relating to those paper thin wings that radiated with the colors of the rainbow, you’re mind went to an alternate world where those who spoke about your strangeness were nonexistent.

It was then that you remembered seeing the same flower from the picture book at your school, the pink and green flora being the type of chosen roost for the orange, white and black insect to rest on if they got tired.

You never knew how much time passed when you felt your new friend’s presence near you until you turned around silently to see a schoolgirl older than your smiling peacefully at your creation, who then smiled at you.

Smiles meant something good, right?

Your quirk activated instinctually, your subconscious telling you to make your friend happy again by creating more things that made her happy, like how butterflies made you happy. You watched as the manifested insects flew over to the girl and rested on her shoulders, two nestled on the wild hair of her twin buns and one on her nose, the sensation of it’s delicate wings tickling her skin bringing a giggle out of her.

You copied her, giggling as well as you knew that laughing is what friends did. The exchange between you two led to a pair of others appearing behind your friend, the both of them watching in awe at how gentle you were.

Meanwhile in their perspective, Twice and big sis Magne were in awe.

This was a side of Toga that the pair had never seen before, so their interest in you grew steadily as they approached you both, seeing that the number of butterflies had grown the closer the became, the same orbs of light appearing to change into other species before the skies above the park had clouds of multicolored wings flying above like a piece of artwork created by nature.

It felt like a blessing to witness a sight like this, a much desired peace accomplished after so many months of being on the run from heroes and the police.

Twice jumped up and began to comically twirl about among the flocks of winged bugs, his splitting personalities having been silenced by the Nirvana he felt surrounding him, only stopping when he heard a few giggles left your mouth while you tried to keep up with him and Toga’s free styling dances without a care in the world.

The four of you not caring that you were getting strange looks and even scowls from those who crossed your paths in order to get a better look at the butterflies conjured by your beautiful quirk.

By the time the sun had set, you and your new friends had collapsed onto the grass, laughing in between breaths from all the fun you shared in those hours of innocent fun.

And you were the one to give that sense of childhood purity of fun back to them without realizing it. In your mind, you were happy that you had finally made friends by yourself as with a kick of your short legs you sat up and turned to the one closest to you, a tall woman with sunglasses and short hair the other two called “Big Sis Mag”.

You poked her cheek and she turned her face towards yours. Taking a deep breath, you decided to try something new that you hadn’t done or were comfortable with.

You: (Yy...yourrr n....nnamme!).... (Your Name)!

It was hard at first, being silent for most of your childhood being the reason as to why you sounded like a newborn attempting to say their first word. But the pride you felt as you pointed to yourself when you said your name clearly on the second try was amazing.

“Big Sis’” eyebrows shot up in surprise, and you understood why she was shocked as the only noises you made were giggles and squeals.

You: (Your name)!.... B-big sissy... Mmmmmag! Fr...friends! T-t-too...Toga! Fri..ends! Twi...Twice! Friends!

All three had unknown expressions present while you gave them a wide toothy grin that you had never given anyone except for your mama.

Twice: I think I’m gonna cry.... No, I’m not! Grow a pair!

Twice cartoonishly wept through his mask, tears that would only exist within an Animé pouring from the eyes of his black and grey mask before stopping almost immediately, his face changing to that of a stoic man drawn in comic books.

Toga just smiled at Twice, before a weak tug on her cardigan pulled her attentions to you, your arms held out wide and with an excited glow to you. You always remembered the warmth your mother’s hugs were growing up, how safe and loved you felt when your adorable self tackled her leg in a weak koala hug before she pulled you into her own arms.

Toga: Oh does (y/n)-chan want a hug?

You nodded and tackled the blonde, arms wrapped around her neck with you cheek pressed against hers, something your mother called “cuddle bumps” as you hated it when someone kissed you.

You: C-cu-cuddle bu-bumps!

Twice: I want cuddle bumps! No, I don’t that’s weird!

You nuzzled your cheek against hers, the teenage girl internally squealing and hugging you back as she was overcome with a sense of some maternal need to protect you and the light your little self emanated, both figuratively and literally as your quirk caused you to glow a warm pink color.

Toga playfully stuck out her tongue towards him, when an idea came to her.

—————

Shigaraki: And the most logical thing that you could ever think of in that moment.... was to bring this brat home?!

Toga’s cheeks puffed up as she hugged your little form from behind while you fiddled with your quirk, a manifested butterfly perched in the palm of your hand. You loved the feeling of your big sister’s soft cardigan as she hugged you.

Toga: Of course, Shiggy! I mean they’re an orphan left behind by those “caretakers”, we even waited to see if anyone would come looking.

Twice: Yeah, it was so nerve wracking! I was bored beyond belief....

Shigaraki let out an aggravated sigh, knowing that you had wormed your way into the hearts of the most in the league, Dabi being the first to cave when you used your quirk to soothe the pain in his burnt skin. He didn’t know why, but the fire quirk user’s eyes softened when you gazed up at his skin and your smile faded, a look of genuine worry that he possibly never experienced in some time as your tiny hand went up to hold his hand with the both of yours.

The rest of the already shocked league watching as an aura glowed from your small form, the glow then moving up your arms and finally covering Dabi in the glow before then pulling away into orbs that popped like soap bubbles filled with fireflies.

Dabi reacted in a way that not even he could describe as all the unbearable burning pain his scars brought him disappeared, a strange surge of.... calm washed over him.

It was the kind of calm that one would feel when a powerful storm dissipates, allowing the warm sun to bathe the earth once again. 

And it was the type of calm that brought a heavy exhale out of Dabi, almost as if he had finally learned to breathe, tears falling down his cheeks and startling him, a hand shooting up to touch his wet face and pulling it away to see what was falling from his eyes.

This... made the tears fall harder.

Dabi had long forgotten what it felt like to cry actual salt water tears instead of blood. A relieved upwards tilt pulled at his lips as he fell to his knees before you, no words exchanged, just glances and a gentle grip of your joined hands.

You: No pain?

Your concern overweighed your struggling speech, your free hand raising up to hover next to his cheek. He chuckled softly, allowing you to place your hands onto his face.

Dabi: No pain. All better.

Your quirk was befitting for such a gentle, caring and kind being as you.

To put it simply, you could restore a person’s injuries, negative outlook on life due to traumatic experiences, and even their lost sense of morality via through your touch, being in your presence, or even by witnessing your creations first hand.

This was your power, a quirk that purified the evil living within this cruel world.

You could literally restore a person or persons lost sense of morality, your quirk changing a sociopathic killer into a saint seeking redemption just by spending an hour with you. 

Your quirk also allowed you to heal any kind of wound or cure any illness, it could even replace missing limbs and the like as long as you kept your focus.

And it was meant to be protected.

Which is why you were taken into the protection of the league of villains, the only group of people who were the first to actually care for you after your mama’s passing, and didn’t speak badly of you or your condition.

Because they didn’t mind that you were autistic, they didn’t see you as broken or wrong. How did you know that they didn’t ostracize you?

They told you.

Twice: You, broken? Ha, that’s fresh! At least you don’t have more than one voice in your head...

Toga: My quirk needs me to drink the blood of the person i’m going to transform into in order for it to work, and because of that, I was pushed away by everyone for how creepy it made me look.

Magne: Anyone would be proud to call you their kid with a drop of a hat. So what if your special needs, it doesn’t make you any less human, sweetie.

Dabi didn’t say anything when you asked, in your broken speech, if you were broken. Instead, he just ruffled your hair and let you wear his jacket all day.

Compress: This world is filled with imperfections, but who is to say that imperfections are ugly and unwanted. To me, imperfections are where true beauty lies as it shows that despite their flaws, they try again and again to make themselves better.

Spinner: Kid, I am a walking talking lizard with pink hair and a desire to follow Stain’s path to create a society where only those who embody the traits of true heroes like All Might are allowed to become heroes.

You didn’t know how to react as he continued.

Spinner: If anything, you are the most normal out of all of us, so don’t go hating on yourself because you’re brain is wired differently. You’re perfect just the way you are.

Magne: Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say, Spinner!

Spinner: BIG SIS MAGNE?!?! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?!

Toga: Enough to know that you give the best pep talks!~

[attllhak]

Adoption AU: Midna

AKA: The one where Twilight got shot.

@tortilla-of-courage @ghostdragonace @sekiumiarashi @anadorablekiwi

Also, mind the tags for this one, since it is the fic where Twi gets shot I did look up the warnings list I gave my best friend when I shared it with them. It shouldn’t be too bad, but better safe than sorry.

----------------

Twilight wasn’t terribly happy about this arrangement. He understood what Keapora was trying to do, he did, but that didn’t mean he was happy about it.

It was a group project for their history class, about the French revolution. Everyone was assigned a historical figure to research, and at the end of two weeks they would need to present an argument on why their figure shouldn’t be executed. The class would vote, and if you lost then a carrot that Keapora’s daughter, Zelda, or Sun as his family called her since they knew so many Zeldas, dressed up to look like the figures would be executed. Twilight’s brother often helped her, and people didn’t usually survive since everyone loved watching Keapora execute carrot nobles with the tiny, functioning guillotine he had.

Twilight was one of the people that was really valuable in group projects because he actually did the work. He was especially sought after because he never made a big deal of it, unless the others did absolutely nothing, and even then he cornered the teacher after class instead of calling anyone out. Dusk, another Zelda, was another of these very valuable group project members. She was a little more vocal about being used, but only because she approached the teacher while class was still in and did so regardless of how little effort was put in. Twilight didn’t know Dusk personally, they didn’t run in the same circles very often, but they got along well enough.

Midna, however, was another story.

Midna was a foreign student, whose parents had immigrated not long after she was born. Her mother’s brother and his family moved with them. Twilight was more familiar with her, but only because they had ended up in the office for fighting once.

Not each other, they had never hit each other. In fact, they had been on the same side. The person they were fighting was Midna’s cousin Zant.

Zant was a grade above them, and a real piece of work. He thought because his family were immigrants that he could claim discrimination any time anyone wasn’t willing to do what he wanted. Plus, if you asked Twilight, he was just a bit loony, and every time he saw the guy he got a worse and worse feeling about him.

They’d met the year before, when Midna and Zant had switched schools. Zant had tried picking on one of Twilight’s little brothers, and Twilight was not having that. Midna had the same thought, apparently, since she was pretty quick to get involved too. Then Zant punched Twilight. Midna punched Zant. One of Zant’s cronies jumped in to defend him. Twilight’s brother Legend saw this going down and decided to lend his fists to the cause when he noticed Twi and Midna were outnumbered. Things devolved from there.

In the end, Zant’s cronies, and Legend, booked it before the teachers got there to break it up. All three of them got dragged into the office and had parents called. Twilight had been miserable until Midna leaned over to compliment him on his form and show him funny videos on her phone. They didn’t talk much, but there was a mutual respect there.

Midna was not like Twilight or Dusk. She was very useful to a group project, but also had a tendency to publicly call out everyone who didn’t help. During the presentation. Twilight had howled the first time she got to the ‘credits’ slide and it was all just her name, and then the other group members listed as ‘standing around looking pretty’. He wasn’t alone.

So he understood what Keapora was doing. By putting all the kids who were invaluable to group projects together it ensured that they wouldn’t get taken advantage of and that they’d all be able to only do their part.

He didn’t have to like it.

It was because he was on the soccer team, he figured. He knew the other sports kids used that as an excuse to get out of projects. And Dusk was on student council and in debate.

That was the only reason he could find that Midna didn’t trust them to do their part. Or maybe she was just jaded. He understood that feeling.

Either way, after the first ‘huddle’ to begin dividing the work where Midna had complained about doing all the work, Dusk pulled Twilight aside and they worked out a plan to get Midna to trust them.

A large part of this plan leveraged the fact Midna already seemed mostly cool with Twilight, so he’d be mostly on the charisma front (which had confused him, since he was far better with animals than he was people), and Dusk would focus more heavily on gathering and sorting research. This, worked less well than Dusk had hoped.

Fortunately, Midna came around the day they got kicked out of the library for getting into a screaming match about a few contradictory facts they dredged up. They left the room still steaming, but Midna was laughing pretty loudly. After that, the three of them got along pretty well.

The project went pretty smoothly after that as well, and they agreed if any more screaming was to happen they’d relocate outside. This worked really well, and soon enough they fell into a system. Dusk even offered them her house to get together after school to work on it. This worked well for Twilight, who had four and a half brothers and counting, and thus didn’t exactly live in a house conducive to group projects. Or any projects.

The three ended up spending a lot of time together working on it, and even managed to get to the point where they were well ahead of the rest of the class. Twilight was even hopeful their carrot might survive (though not so hopeful he thought it would, he knew better than that).

Of course, the universe didn’t seem to think he should be able to take a break. Ignoring that Wild had just gotten another cast off and he’d had to rescue Legend from a few more fist fights, he didn’t think anything big would end up happening. It was just the usual shit where his biggest break was going over to Dusk’s house to work or disappearing on his Epona for a few hours.

But, he wasn’t oblivious. He noticed the warning signs, he just dismissed them.

In hindsight, he shouldn’t have done this.

Zant had always made Twilight uncomfortable. It didn’t help that he seemed to really hate Twilight after the fight they’d gotten into, and made worse by the fact Twilight got along well with Midna. Midna mentioned he was always a little jealous of her for various reasons, and that they’d never been close. So he didn’t think much of it when Zant started acting weirder than usual. He asked when he noticed Midna was getting more fidgety and nervous, but accepted it when she brushed him off. He paid no mind to the fact Zant started skipping school.

He never brushed things off like this again. His therapist said it was paranoia based on trauma, but Dusk agreed with him that it was a reasonable caution. After all, he was the one who got hurt.

They had finished the project early, after spending the entire weekend at Dusk’s place to work on it at Midna’s request. In hindsight, it should have been worrying that Midna was avoiding her home, but no one said anything about it since she just brushed them off.

The three were sitting in the library, sorting through the last few bits of information and the presentation to make sure they had everything. Twilight was sitting closest to the door, which is probably why he was the one who did the stupid thing.

They had been there for maybe ten minutes when an announcement for a lockdown came over the intercom. Lockdown drills had been happening since Twilight’s dad had been in school, after he’d done something really stupid and brave in the face of danger, so no one thought much of it. Mostly, they just moved all the papers and the laptop they were using under the table so they could keep working.

That is, until Twilight noticed how worried the librarians looked.

Suspicious now, Twilight rapped twice on the top of the table and hissed to the girls his concerns. Midna agreed, but looked suddenly really, really pale, and a little scared.

“Midna, are you alright?” Dusk hovered a hand over Midna’s shoulder, and Twilight crouched down next to them to watch as well.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Midna waved them off, but both of them could tell she was lying.

“Midna, do you know what’s going on?” Twilight asked her, glancing back at the librarians every so often.

“No, well, maybe,” she was now wringing her hands in her cloak, chewing on her lip.

“Midna, what’s going on? Is this for real?” Dusk set her hand down and Midna jumped, Dusk retracting her hand as she did.

“Well,” she hesitated, but Twilight offered her a smile and Dusk nodded. “There have been a few, issues, with my cousin. You know, Zant? He uh, he’s not been doing well recently,”

“Not been doing well?” Twilight led, hoping for something more.

“He’s been getting more violent,” Midna admitted quietly. “And, and he’s starting to scare me a little bit,”

Twilight and Dusk shared a look, both coming to the same conclusion.

Before anything more could be said, however, the library door was thrown open, and the librarians screamed and ducked behind the counters. Twilight jerked up to standing, having not slid under the table with the girls.

Sure enough, Zant was standing across the library, panting hard and looking more than a little crazed.

“Call the cops,” Twilight muttered to the girls, frozen where he stood and just waiting for Zant to spot him. “One of you call the police,”

“Link,” Midna hissed at him, probably well aware of what he was planning. “Don’t you even think about it!”

“Just make sure the police are on the way,” Twilight hissed back, ignoring the use of his real name.

“Link!”

“Twilight,”

He ignored both girls when Zant finally spotted him. He knew what people looked like when they were going to shoot. Legend and Wild both learned to shoot for fun a while back and would practice on old milk jugs in the yard. He had more than enough warning before Zant even brought the pistol up to aim.

Twilight took off at him at a dead run, knowing full well he was dead if there was enough distance, ignoring the cursing from the girls.

He shoulder checked Zant hard in the stomach and managed to duck beneath the first shot. Unfortunately, he was very close to the gun and it didn’t have a silencer. He stumbled back and rubbed his ears, trying to dispel the ringing in them. This gave Zant enough time to get back to his feet and regain his breath. Twilight noticed and pushed the ringing to the side and lunged for the gun.

The two tug-of-warred over the weapon for a few beats, Twilight trying to get it away from Zant and Zant trying to get it at an angle so he could shoot Twilight. Twilight kept trying to push the gun pointed down and Zant was desperately pulling on it and trying to shove and hit Twilight.

This went on for several long moments, though Twilight didn’t remember exactly how long. He was way more focussed on the fight than how long it was.

He most certainly remembered his hand slipping and the gun coming up, and the second gunshot was burned in his memory, never to be erased.

The pain didn’t register for a few heartbeats, and shock set in almost immediately. He lost his grip on the gun and stumbled back, eyes wide in shock and horror, mouth open in a silent scream.

Zant stumbled back as well, and both boys seemed frozen. Zant grinned, however, and lifted up the gun again to finish the job.

Twilight had never felt so scared before or after.

And then a loud crack sounded, and standing behind and over Zant’s now crumpled form was Midna, chair held by the legs over her head.

Midna caught sight of Twilight, and dropped the chair, swearing really loudly.

It was at this point Twilight lowered his hands to his stomach, and the hole that now existed there. He didn’t dare look down, instead keeping his eyes on Midna and the look of horror on her face.

“Is, is it bad?” He tried for a joke, but it probably fell flat. It was then that Twilight, a little dizzy, tipped over onto the floor.

He didn’t remember much after that. He remembered Midna screaming his name, his real name, and Dusk dropping into view, phone held up to her ear. He remembered vaguely being moved somewhere else, and then being rolled onto his side and pressure on his back and stomach. He thinks he cried out at that, but his head was already starting to swim a little, and the shock wasn’t helping. His next really clear memory was in the ambulance.

He blinked and groaned, and Dusk popped into view over him.

“Easy, Link,” she reached up and moved some of his hair out of his face, smiling but not able to hide how shaken up she still was. “It’ll be okay, you’re gonna be fine,” she sounded like she was convincing herself.

“Midna?” He asked, then blinked at the muffled sound of his voice.

Dusk held his hand down, chuckling at him. “A mask,” she explained, “to help your breathing. You were gasping. Midna needed to talk to the police, since it was her cousin. She’s going to meet us,”

“Okay?” 

“Yeah, she’s okay,” Dusk smiled and rubbed his shoulder. “We’re both okay. You’re the one we’re both worried about,”

Twilight just nodded, and sort of drifted out of focus again. There was a bit of activity when they arrived, but then Twilight was put under and rushed into surgery so he didn’t remember anything that happened afterwards.

He came to a few hours later in a hospital room with stitches in his stomach and back. Dusk had collapsed over his right arm, and Midna leaned on the edge of the bed, careful to avoid the IV in his arm. He couldn’t see any family, so he figured they hadn’t gotten there yet.

Midna looked up after a few beats, and Twilight smiled at her. That had her bolting up.

“Twilight!”

Dusk lifted her head on his other side, her own face breaking into a grin when she saw him too.

“You’re up!”

“Yup, I lived,” he paused. “Actually is my phone here? Can someone take a picture of me to send to my brothers? Wild always does it when he breaks a bone, and I wanna see why he finds it so funny,”

“You’re high on pain meds, aren’t you?” Midna deadpanned at him.

He laughed, until he realized that made his stomach hurt. “Ow,”

“Okay, maybe not,” Midna admitted, then handed him his phone. “What’s your passcode?”

“Midna!” Dusk cried.

“What? He asked!”

Twilight happily opened up his phone, ignoring Dusk.

“Say cheese!” Midna grinned at him, holding up the phone.

Twilight lifted both hands in a peace sign and grinned. Midna took the photo and sent it off into the group chat without another word, even as Dusk made disapproving noises next to them.

Immediately a string of excited and relieved texts started pouring in, and Twilight had to remind himself laughing hurt.

The injury wasn’t bad, he found out. He wasn’t sure how getting shot could be ‘not bad’, but apparently since the bullet went through the damage wasn’t severe. He was expected to be back at full in less than a year, but had to be pulled off the soccer team for the rest of the year, and discouraged from rejoining the next year. That was disappointing, but livable.

About half an hour before his parents arrived, Midna offered to paint his face for him.

This had confused Twilight quite a bit. What did getting paint on his face have to do with what had happened?

Midna explained that for the Twili, her people, facial markings were important parts of identity, and you can earn them for doing certain things or surviving awful events. Twilight argued that he wasn’t Twili, and Midna pointed out she was, and that Zant was as well, and since both of them were involved she got to make the call. At this point Twilight was mostly confused as to how he would have even earned facial markings.

Midna just sputtered. “You got shot! AND you defended me and Dusk from Zant. You fought my cousin for the gun so he wouldn’t shoot anyone else! That, as far as I’m concerned, makes you a hero! And heroes obviously get facial markings. Not to mention I’m pretty damn sure getting shot counts as a ‘pretty damn awful experience’. So yes, you qualify for markings.”

Twilight blinked at that. Well, he couldn’t really argue with that.

So he let Midna paint his face.

When his family, and Midna and Dusk’s parents, arrived Midna was sitting on the bed next to him, a paintbrush in hand and Dusk holding a small pot full of a specific kind of paint Midna had ducked out to get. Twilight had half a diamond shape on his head at this point. The three teenagers all froze to turn to look at the newcomers.

“Hi,” Twilight waved at them.

“What’s going on here?” Time asked, eye roving over the group.

“I’m painting his face,” Midna explained.

“Why?” Time asked, and Midna’s father, who also had an elaborate series of markings on his face, leaned around him.

“Yes, why are you doing that?”

“Because,” Midna explained, “he got shot. And he fought Zant to protect us from him, and as per tradition, that qualifies him for facial markings. So I’m doing them for him,”

“Zant?” Midna’s father asked.

“Yeah, he showed up and tried to shoot up the school,” Midna explained as she went back to applying paint to Twilight’s face. “He busted into the library where we were and Twilight tried to fight him to protect the rest of us. He got shot and I whacked Zant in the head with a chair. Then we huddled off somewhere else to hide until the cops showed up.”

“No, Zant was the shooter?” Her father repeated.

Midna froze and turned around. “Yes. Did you not know?”

Her father shook his head. “They didn’t catch the shooter,”

Midna’s shoulders dropped, and both hylians behind her looked equally horrified.

“What?” Midna asked.

Her father shook his head again. “They didn’t catch him,”

Midna took a deep breath, then shook her head and turned back to Twilight. Her hand was shaking now, so she didn’t go back to painting. Twilight lifted his hand to pat her knee.

“I’m sure they’ll catch him soon,” Malon offered, slipping into the room to take up on the couch against the wall. “He’s pretty easily identified, after all,”

“Right,” Midna nodded, then shook herself once. “Right, it’ll be fine.”

She dipped the brush back into the paint and went about continuing to paint on Twilight’s face.

“What are you doing?” Eyes turned back up to find Zant’s parents in the doorway now, after everyone else wandered into the room to settle down.

“Why is everyone asking me that?” Midna turned to face the ceiling. “I’m painting his face! I can do that! He’s earned the markings, and as the present Twili I can choose to provide them to him, even though he isn’t Twili. Believe me, I’ve considered whether or not this was something I could do, and I can. And besides, I’m already half done,”

“No,” Zant’s mother corrected. “I mean why are you painting his face for assaulting my son?”

“What?!” Midna whipped around, fury on her face.

Zant’s mother nodded. “He attacked Zant, and you rewarding him for it is a betrayal to this family,”

“Zant brought a gun to our school!” Midna burst, apparently pissed off and finally snapping after the stress of the day. “He tried to shoot me, he DID shoot Twilight! Twilight saved our lives by attacking him, and he got injured for it! He more than deserves these markings, and Zant should be in jail!”

Zant’s mother stuttered, then drew herself up. “That boy is a danger to everyone around him,”

“Yes,” Midna agreed and pointedly added a line under Twilight’s eyes. “Zant is unstable and dangerous,”

The woman huffed, and went to start yelling when Malon stood up again and blocked her from the door. “Let’s talk, hm?”

The door shut and Twilight had to put in a lot of effort not to laugh as his mother tore into the woman outside the door. After a few minutes, Midna’s mother joined her, and Dusk’s father followed with a camera in hand.

No one else questioned the paints again.

In the end, Zant’s mother filed for a restraining order against Twilight and Malon, which Malon said she would abide by exclusively because it was one less expense on them. Midna’s parents refused to separate Midna from one of her friends, especially one who put his life at risk to help her, and didn’t sign onto the order the way Zant’s mother wanted them too.

Twilight ended up with a very nice looking set of markings over his forehead that Midna told him symbolized courage and boldness and sacrifice. He was quite proud of them.

He got back to school the same day as the presentation, which he thought was pretty amusingly coincidental. His mother, ever worrying, did insist he use a wheelchair (one they had for Time from a few years before Twilight was born) so he didn’t put undue strain on his injury.

The presentation went well, and things worked out fine. They even managed to keep their carrot alive. Midna’s ‘credits’ of course popped up, but it was much more even than in the past. Of course, there was still the ‘sitting around looking pretty’ category.

Midna was listed. They had taken a vote. Everyone found this hilarious.

There was more laughter when Twilight was listed as having ‘bled for this’. Keapora didn’t find it as amusing as their classmates did.

Midna moved away not long after that, her parents worried about Zant. She explained she wouldn’t be able to talk to them anymore until things calmed down or Zant was caught since her parents were scared.

That was the last time either of them spoke to her.

(---)

The markings Midna painted on stuck around for a very long time. Dusk theorized that the paint was probably some kind of tattoo paint, meant to stain the skin for a long time. Even four and a half years later, the paint was still visible. It was beginning to fade now, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to get it redone. The only Twili in the area was Zant’s family, and no one was asking them. It was quite the conversation starter though.

He hadn’t heard from Midna at all since she moved away, and he really missed her. Turns out when you fight someone’s loony cousin together you bond. Who knew?

The scar on his stomach didn’t bother him much, unless it rained really hard or really suddenly. Overall, despite his continuing visits to a therapist and the occasional nightmare, he had recovered from the entire event mostly unscathed.

Most of the time he didn’t get to think about it, helping out on the ranch and prepping to take over some day, alongside his now seven brothers, meant he didn’t have time too.

His therapist was worried his drag racing was a sign of self-destructive behavior, and a symptom of trauma. He ignored her, even though she may have been right.

And that was life. That was just the way it was.

Eventually Time got a call from the police captain, whom he knew quite well by now, letting him know they apprehended Zant, and charges were pending. Time promised they’d testify.

Twilight finally put in an application to a college, one of the really rural ones that offered classes in the sort of stuff that’d be useful when he took over the ranch from his parents one day. He got accepted.

About two weeks after Zant was convicted and carted off, and Twilight was looking at packing up for his first semester, he got a call from an unknown number.

Curious, but not stupid, he turned on the call recording app he’d gotten after the first few times he’d received a threatening call after the whole Zant thing, and hit answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey wolf boy,”

He nearly dropped his phone.

[linkedkeysau-official]

*ahem*

Dragons.

(also sorry this took so long I forgot I was posting this here lmao)

Linked Keys - Chapter 4

While Wild and Hyrule managed to get the food and supplies they needed, the village was otherwise thought to be a dead end. Most of the people were apparently too afraid to leave their homes or even talk to the heroes. They did find out from the young woman from before that Nihrie, since rising to power, has sent monsters into the village night after night simply to terrorize the civilians out of boredom. Most days, people would only wander the streets when heading to the market, and not much else. Most of the town's former guards, and anyone who tried to stand against the sorcerer, had been captured, but nobody knew where Nihrie took the prisoners.

The boys were about to give up their search when a young man called Warriors and Twilight into an alley to speak to them, claiming to know something. They we're suspicious at first, but it was potentially the only lead they could get around here.

The man seemed to be a little younger than Twi and Wars, though it was hard to tell, as most of his face was covered by a large purple hood made to look like a rabbit; only the bottom of his chin, and a few strands of dark hair were visible underneath it. The rest of his body was hidden by either the hood, the purple robe, or the blue striped scarf that he wore. He sounded young, however, and was slightly shorter than the two he was speaking to, so it was safe to assume that he wasn't any older than them.

"You look like I can trust you. I know something about the sorcerer you're looking for... But in exchange I need your help. My friend was taken away and is being held captive by the sorcerer. He helped me to escape, but, well... Only I could get away." The man was twisting a strange golden bracelet around his wrist, "Forgive me, I'm too scared to go back there alone, but you look like you can handle yourselves in a fight." He suddenly jumped forward and grabbed onto Twilight's arm,

"Please, you have to help my friend! I'll show you where he is. I'll show you where his hideout is on this island. But I need you and your friends to rescue mine!" He begged. His hood flew off to reveal tearful green eyes under messy black bangs. He appeared to be a hylian as well, or something like one; the pointed ears gave it away. He didn't look like another Link, but he didn't look the belonged in this world either, and therefore must have been brought into it along with the Links. Twilight and Warriors glanced at each other in silent agreement. They needed to help this boy.

"Of course we'll help. Let's find the rest of our party and we'll all go together." Warriors said.

"Oh thank, you! Thank you so much!" The boy cried, "My name is Ravio. What're yours?"

"Uhhh... It's complicated. But you can call us 'Warriors' and 'Twilight'." Twilight said.

"Warriors and Twilight." Ravio repeated, "Thank you again. I'll be sure to find some way to repay you for this."

"Just show us where Nihrie is and we'll call it even." Warriors said. The three of them managed to find the rest of their group and informed them of the situation with Ravio. The other Links seemed just as willing to assist the boy in the bunny hood as Twi and Wars had been, much to Ravio's delight. Wild had some suspicions about him, fearing he may not be as friendly as he appeared, but he would still give the benefit of the doubt. He was outvoted anyway.

Once everyone had returned from their errands in the village, Ravio led them out and in the direction of where his friend was being held. They made their way across a series of small rocky hills to the south of the village. The sound of the ocean could be heard not far away, but was not yet visible from where they were. After roughly an hour of walking and climbing, Ravio stopped them at the face of a cliff.

“There… There should be a hidden cave somewhere here, but I can’t remember where it is.” The dark-haired boy said, frantically smacking at the rocks.

“Here. Maybe I can find it.” Time stepped forward, holding a strange purple lens in his hand: the Lens of Truth. Peering through it with his one good eye, he eventually discovered a spot that appeared to be some sort of concealed passageway. He stepped forward, halfway through the magical illusion that covered it. He held out his hand as if to tell the others to follow.

“Found it. Let’s go.” He said. The others followed him inside, impressed at how quickly he managed to find it. It was dark inside, the chilled cave passageway illuminated only by the glowing blue earrings that Future wore (Wild recognized them as likely being made from luminous stones), the lights from Wild’s Sheikah Slate, and the faint red light from the Fire Rod Warriors carried. The group all stuck close together, keeping eyes and ears open for any sign of movement in front of or behind them. The tunnel seemed to go on forever until eventually it opened up into a massive cavern. Glowing green crystals decorated the walls, casting a faint light on the room that was just enough to make out the contents. A small group of people, one of which resembling the other Links, sat in one corner as if waiting for something.

“Link! And Sheerow!” Ravio cried out. The boy in green turned, a smile on his face. There was a small white bird sitting on his head who flapped its blue wings happily upon seeing Ravio.

“Ravio! You’re back!” He cried out. He started running towards his friend before Warriors spoke up in a sort of whisper-shout,

“Ravio, wait! Get back here!” Ravio turned around, stopping in his tracks. Warriors and a few others pointed to the center of the room, barely a few feet from where Ravio was running. A small, sleeping dragon lay between the heroes and the group on the other side. Ravio fought the urge to scream as he sprinted back towards the others, hiding behind the quadruplets, who were at the back of the group.

“Don’t worry, the dragon is a pretty heavy sleeper… But we can’t get out as long as he's there. The wizard has this barrier up–” Ravio’s friend tapped on some sort of invisible wall, causing green ripples of light to erupt from where his fist hit it, “--That seems to be fueled by the dragon’s life force.”

“The only reason I was able to escape is because of this bracelet.” Ravio added helpfully, “But I only have one. Link and I usually just share it.”

“That’s my pouch! The pouch I had my Moon Pearl in! I need that to change back!” Legend cried out, pointing to something hanging around the Dragon’s neck.

“So… I guess we have to defeat the dragon.” Future said nervously.

"Guess so." Time nodded.

"Hey, with all of us together it can't be that hard. Especially given that we have the extra power of being s—" Red started to say before Blue leapt forward, covering his mouth.

"Red!!!" Green and Vio scolded. Red pulled Blue's hands from his face,

"Sorry… I forgot that was supposed to be a— MMPHH!!!!"

"RED!!!" Blue covered the red-clad boy's mouth once again, the three of them letting out an exasperated sigh at their blabbermouth brother. Thankfully, nobody else seemed to question what the four colorful boys were hiding.

"Everyone get ready. We don't know what this thing is capable of. Time, Twi, Wild, Future and I will take the lead. You four, Hyrule, and Legend need to keep it busy. Strike when you can, but keep its attention off of us." Warriors ordered, "Ravio, keep an eye on the trapped innocents. Wind, I'm counting on you and your pirate expertise to grab that moon pearl for Legend." Everyone nodded in agreement and took their positions, all drawing their swords in preparation, except for Ravio, who ran to the other side of the cavern, practically pressing his back against the barrier.

"It'll probably wake up the minute we strike, so everyone get ready. Shields out if you have one. We attack it all at once to do as much damage as possible before it wakes up. On my count." Warriors continued, "3… 2… 1… charge!"

The boys, trusting in the war Captain's judgement in how to handle the situation, all surrounded and charged at the dragon. Unfortunately, the plan did not go as well as Warriors hoped. Their swords bounced harmlessly off the dragon's scales… But it was enough to wake the dragon up anyway, and it was angry. Rising up from its slumber, it glared at the group of heroes surrounding it.

"Uhhhh… Okay, new plan. We need to figure out its weak spot. Those scales are tough, and we won't do anything if we just attack its back."

"Try the stomach, maybe? If an enemy is well guarded on its back, their stomach tends to be more vulnerable." Time suggested as he jumped to the side to avoid a burst of flame from the dragon's mouth.

While the others were trying to figure out how to fight the beast, Wind had snuck around to the other side and was attempting to climb up to the dragon's back, hoping he was small enough— and the dragon distracted enough by his friends— that it wouldn't notice him. The scales were slippery, and Wind had a hard time trying to hold on with the dragon's constant movement threatening to throw the tiny sailor off, but he eventually managed to climb up to the neck, and was working on getting Legend's pouch untied to retrieve the Moon Pearl.

"I got it!!! Ledge, I got— WHAAAA!!!" Wind had the string of the pouch clutched tightly in his fist and was holding it up excitedly to show his pink bunny friend, but a sudden lurch as Time's heavy sword struck the dragon's side threw him off and sent him tumbling to the ground. The dragon was small, so the fall likely wouldn't kill him, but the force with which he was thrown would definitely do quite a bit of damage to Wind if someone hadn't caught him just in time.

"Gotcha. That was close… You okay?" Wind was shocked to see the boy who'd been trapped behind the barrier standing there, having caught the sailor before he hit the ground. He bore a strong resemblance to Legend, in his un-cursed form, only with blond hair instead of pink. His skin had slight, splotchy discolorations as if someone had thrown paint on his face and hands that was just a little too light to match his natural skin tone.

"How did you…?" Wind asked.

"I'll explain later. Ravio and I switched places so I could help you fight." The boy set Wind back down on the ground. Both drew their weapons and watched the others for an opening. It would seem the stomach was indeed this dragon's weak spot, as every time someone landed a hit, the beast roared and thrashed as if in pain.

"Ledge! Catch!" Wind called as he tossed the pouch to Legend, who leapt up and caught it. He opened it, revealing a shiny round stone inside which he touched with his little pink paw before suddenly morphing back into the form of a pink-haired hylian man.

"Finally!!!" He shouted, "Alright let's beat this overgrown lizard!!!" And with that, Legend, Wind, and the newcomer jumped into the fray.

"Whoa!!! A little help here?!" Future cried out as he found himself alone, directly in the dragon's line of fire. He deflected a burst of flame with his shield, but the metal shield soon grew so hot that he threw it on the ground with a yelp, rubbing his mildly burned right arm.

"I've got you." Wild had a spear in his hands, the tip a brilliant white color that filled the surrounding air with an intense chill. The next time the dragon leaned in to attack, he thrust the spear into the beast's mouth before it could spit flames. Smoke billowed out as the flames were abruptly snuffed out before they could leave the mouth, leaving the dragon coughing and hacking in surprise.

"Thanks." Future smiled.

"No problem. Good thing I still had this Frostspear…" Wild said. He grabbed his Sheikah Slate and tapped something. With a flash of blue, his Frostspear was swapped out for a Royal Broadsword. The two split up and ran to the sides again

"We've gotta be close! Come on, guys!!!" Green urged. He, Twilight, and Blue rushed forward together. Vio had a bow out, aiming towards the dragon's face while he attempted to shoot it in the eyes. Red had a fire rod much like the one Warriors had and was shooting bursts of flame back at the dragon to keep it distracted. Hyrule fired some sort of magical beam from his sword, sending it flying towards the dragon's stomach alongside the others' attacks. The dragon did indeed seem to be weakening against the endless onslaught from the 13 boys, but had not yet fallen.

Then with one last blow, all his fury put behind it, Legend thrust his blade into the dragon's stomach one more time. The dragon roared, writhing in pain before it fell to the ground, vanishing in a massive puff of black-purple smoke like many monsters did. All the heroes were exhausted; that battle had taken everything they had to give, and several of them fell back onto the cave floor as they tried to catch their breath. Nobody seemed to be seriously injured, thankfully. The worst of it was a scratch from the dragon's talons on Twilight's shoulder, a mild burn on Future's right forearm from his heated shield, a couple of bruises here and there for a few of them, and of course the exhaustion, so Hyrule didn't have to expend too much of his magic trying to heal them, and no potions had to be used on such minor injuries.

"You did it!!! You beat the dragon! The people are free!" Ravio cried, running towards them as soon as the barrier went down. This earned a look of confusion from most of the group, not having time before to let the newcomer's presence sink in.

"Wait, how—?" Wild asked.

"Ravio offered to swap places with me so that I could help you." The newcomer stated, as if it should be obvious how they managed to swap in the first place.

"Okay but how did you even get out?" Warriors asked.

"They don't know about the bracelet…" Ravio said to his friend.

"Ohhhh…" his friend sighed, "You see, this magic bracelet allows the wearer to become a painting. Like a living painting, that can move along walls. Ravio gave it to me a while back. This is what he used to escape before. The barrier can't stop what appears to be part of the wall itself. The problem is we only have this one, so I told him to go find help, since I wasn't sure I could take on that dragon alone." He pointed to the golden bracelet Ravio had been wearing earlier, now on the other boy's wrist.

"Oh wow, cool!" Wind exclaimed in amazement.

"So… Is it alright if we call you Paint, then?" Future asked.

"Paint? I mean I suppose so. But why?" The newly-dubbed Paint asked.

"We heard Ravio call you Link, and, well, long story short, that's… most of our names too." Time explained. Paint laughed.

"You know what, 'Paint' works just fine. And thanks for helping us out. Come on, we should probably lead the missing villagers back home. You can tell us more about what's going on along the way." Paint gestured for the rest to follow him. The others did so, as they made their way back to the village.

[whaleofatjme1920]

Could Really Use A Wish Right Now (Mordetwi)

Could Really Use A Wish Right Now

[Mordecai X Twilight Sparkle]

[Warnings: none.]

[AN: I told you I was writing Mordetwi fanfic only I put way too much effort into it and it's 3.6K words long. Read this and enjoy it or I will never forgive you. Also, I’ve never watched Regular Show so like—]

Have you ever met someone in your life that makes you feel so utterly complete? They make your heart sing and the butterflies in your stomach spring to life just by existing in the same space as you.

The purple unicorn called Twilight Sparkle had honestly never believed she was never destined to meet someone who could inspire those things inside of her. When she was a filly learning about the common beauty that is ‘soulmate identifiers,’ she’d been disheartened to learn that she lacked all of them.

“It’s a simple exercise,” Princess Celestia began, watching as her students eyed her with wonder and excitement. “Unicorns have a special ability that allows us to hone in on not only our soulmate identifiers, but others as well,” she explained, her horn lighting up with a beautiful golden aura as it began to spread brighter and brighter. Her eyes closed for but a fraction of a second before a counter appeared over Celestia’s head. “See? Easy as pie,” she smiled.

“What does your counter mean, princess?” Moon Dancer asked, her brows quirking up.

Princess Celestia hummed thoughtfully. “It’s counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until I meet my special somepony,” she answered. “Though, I have a feeling it is not of the romantic nature.”

Another filly looked over, confusion etching his face. “That’s possible?”

Celestia giggled and nodded, magickally willing her counter away. “Not everypony is destined to have a romantic soulmate, nor do they always want one,” the princess started as she walked over to the still confused filly. She stretched one of her wings out, gently draping over him before dipping her head down and explaining further. “Friendship is just as important.”

The young male filly made a loud ‘ohhhhh’ sound before excitedly getting back into the lesson.

Princess Celestia then began to explain how to do the spell, focusing on feelings and intuition more than actual words.

“Have some faith while casting your magick,” Princess Celestia said, watching as her students paired up. “Don’t doubt yourself.”

The words of her princess echoed in Twilight’s head, the young filly bracing herself as her purple aura began to spread over her horn.

“C’mon Twi, I believe in you,” Moon Dancer said, her violet colored eyes sparkling with determination and her own horn igniting with light pink aura.

Twilight grinned at her friend, honing in on her feelings as she and Moon Dancer cast the spell - and she saw it! Moon Dancer was gifted with the first words on her forehoof - it’ll appear when she’s 13.

“Do you see mine?” The red maned pony asked excitedly.

Twilight nodded. “First words at 13,” she answered. “And me?”

“I can’t really-”

“Alright my little ponies, back to your seats please,” Princess Celestia said, her voice like honey and silk. Her voice carried on, oblivious to Twilight’s inner turmoil as she continued on with the lesson, explaining the different types of marks and the most common ones. “Does anypony have any questions?”

“What do you do if you don’t have one?” The young filly asked, her dark purple colored hoof held high in the air as she looked at the regal princess who had paused from her lesson to take questions.

“Excellent question, Twilight,” Princess Celestia’s regal voice complimented, briefly watching as stars that were reminiscent of Twilight’s cutie mark sparkled in her eyes before addressing her. “Perhaps it is an area of study you can go into,” the princess winked.

Twilight raised a brow and cocked her head to the side. “You mean to tell me that no pony in the history of ponies has ever lacked a soulmate identifier?”

Princess Celestia chuckled and nodded, her large, feathery wings fanning out for but a moment to show her amusement before nodding. “There’s always a special somepony for everypony out there, whether it be purely platonic or romantic!” The large white mare explained. Aura flowed from her horn and plucked a piece of chalk up from the chalkboard’s ledge. It floated around her head before she turned back to the board. “We learn about new soulmate identifiers daily,” she explained, writing down the notes.

Twilight shifted awkwardly in her seat before using her own magic to pick up her quill, taking down her teacher’s notes.

“Sometimes, soulmate identifiers come late in life or change depending on our advancements in magick and technology.”

The princess’s voice droned on and Twilight took down her notes diligently, ears flattened against her skull. The feeling of dread pooled deeper in her stomach.

“And sometimes,” Princess Celestia continued, “sometimes they just don’t appear until a certain age. Sixteen seems to be the latest.”

Twilight’s ears perked up. Sixteen, huh? She could wait until then. Maybe there was hope for her after all.

Sixteen came and went and Twilight found herself tearing up on her balcony, stargazing in an attempt to soothe her aching heart. It was just past midnight and she performed that stupid spell again and again with no luck. In the mirror, all she saw was herself, and nothing more.

“Twily? You in here?” A gentle male voice asked, gently knocking on her door.

The unicorn flattened her ears against her head and used her forehoof to wipe away her crystalline tears. “Just about to sleep,” she said, barely hiding her sniffles. She didn’t want to face Shining Armor like this.

The stallion’s voice exhaustedly chuckled. “C’mon, what’s wrong?” He asked.

Twilight sighed deeply and opened her bedroom door with her magick, revealing a white stallion with blue hair.

He looked over the darkness of Twilight’s room before tsking his tongue at seeing the sorry state of his sister. His dark blue hooves tapped quietly along the bedroom floor as he made way to her, his magick opening her balcony doors just enough for him to sit beside her. “What’s on your mind?” He asked, eyes gentle and soft.

Twilight lowered her eyes, unable to look at her brother before biting the bullet and deciding to explain it to him. “I… Am I destined to be alone?” She asked softly, voice cracking ever so slightly.

Shining Armor’s heart softened at the sound of his distraught sister before he wrapped his arm around her. “No, of course not,” he hushed. “You’re going to be just fine,” he cooed, rocking his baby sister back and forth.

“That’s so easy for you to say,” the purple mare said with a growing frown. “You have Cadence-”

“We’re not talking about me right now,” he cut Twilight off sharply. He felt her wince against him. “Sorry, it’s just,” he rested his head on top of hers. “You’re gonna be just fine. You have my word.”

Twilight took in her brother’s warmth, still bitter over the fact he had a soulmate and she didn’t, but spent time in his warm embrace. He’s her BBBFF for a reason.

From then on, and it came in small bouts, Twilight began to think of music in her head. Little songs of things she recognized, some things she didn’t, but music all the same. At first, she assumed it was just her head substituting the liminal spaces in her head with something melodic and pleasant, but over the years, it grew louder.

How curious…

She’d grown a lot since she was sixteen, seven years had passed and the soulmate identifying mark was but a scar on her heart. Though, the music in her head was triggered at the oddest times. She’d learned to tune it out through the years, that and the feelings of her pain over a lack of soulmates.

Her friends had already found theirs.

Pinkie Pie’s was a stallion by the name of Cheese Sandwich. They were bound together by a step counter.

Rainbow Dash’s was Apple Jack, and of course, they were tied together through shared injuries. Rainbow Dash had to apologize for all of Apple Jack’s phantom wing pain.

Fluttershy had a red string of fate connected to Discord.

Rarity had an almost ‘lost to legend’ soulmate identifier, one in which your reflection is actually your soulmate - and it led her to Fancy Pants, who was in every sense, her platonic soulmate.

And Twilight? She liked to say she didn’t care anymore.

Instead, she buried herself into her friendships and focused on her magick, honing in on the skills and abilities she did have and could work on.

It was one of those spells that brought her to him.

“And you’re sure this is a good idea?” Spike asked, his green eyes showing nothing but concern. His clawed hands anxiously grasped at his scaly tail.

Twilight nodded, her magick clasping the book to a close, sending dust flying in the air. She twitched her nose before sneezing slightly. “Yes,” she began. “If I do this right, we’ll peer into another…. Reality? Dimension? Oh goodness, I have no idea!” She giggled, glee dotting her face.

Spike’s eyes fell to the book as Twilight reshelved it. “Do we really need to be looking into other realities?” He questioned, voice still shaky and unsure.

“Of course I am!” Twilight beamed. “This was one of Star Swirl’s greatest spells, it hasn’t been attempted in centuries! If I can, maybe we can learn something and then?”

Spike groaned loudly. “Don’t say it-”

“We can write a research paper!” She giggled, her ears perked up and magick already begin to form around her horn. Twilight honestly pranced like a filly, giggling as she went over the spell in her head.

Spike narrowed his eyes before hiding behind the table and flashing a shaky thumbs up.

Twilight steadied herself before gearing up, the aura on her horn growing brighter and brighter. The violet hue almost became blinding as Twilight grit her teeth at the sheer energy flowing through her body.

She flattened her ears against her skull as she put more of her power into the spell. “I can barely hold it!” She cried out, hooves digging into the wood of her library floor. She tensed the muscles in her legs.

“It’s not gonna hold!” Spike shouted, bracing for an explosion.

“Yes it will-!” Twilight yelled back, exhausting her power as her horn heated up past boiling. Her horn was practically sparkling now, growing hotter and brighter, sparks flying as she poured more and more of herself into it. She hissed in pain as the sheer force of magick sent her flying back to her shelves, sending books and precious knowledge all over the place.

“Twilight! Are you okay?” Spike asked once it was safe to come out, uncomfortable with the heavy heat that lingered in the air. He rushed over to the dizzy unicorn, watching as she shook the books off.

“I’m fine,” she said, voice a little hazy as Spike took her forehoof into his hands, helping her up. “I just need to try again. Maybe I missed something?” She rhetorically asked, rubbing at her temple in an attempt to shove off her physical pain that cracked over her body like glass at its breaking point. Her hooves clacked against the floor as she shakily steadied herself, her magick grabbing the book from its place.

“Don’t you think that you’ve exhausted yourself today?” Spike asked, his voice soft and low. “You need to rest, maybe get some hay fries?” He suggested.

Twilight continued to page through the book, eyes scanning it faster and faster for any hint on what to do. Nothing. She groaned and angrily shoved it back into its place. “You’re right, let’s get something to eat,” she sighed, picking Spike up with her magick and placing him on her back.

Spike mentally sighed in relief as the purple unicorn trotted out of the library, his stomach growling the entire way.

Twilight now stands in the middle of some field in the late afternoon verging on evening, songs in her head keeping her attention bright eyed and bushy tailed. Spike was back home, sleeping, of course. She had all the time she needed to practice her spell, and she’d keep going until she got it right.

She powers up the spell again, the breeze sending her pretty mane flying and thankfully, out of her face as her aura grows. The purple color fizzles at first, almost as if it was asking her to not do so - to give up, but she grit her teeth and powers through it.

“Come on,” she growls, putting more and more of her power into the spell, her brain attempting to focus on anything other than the songs that were permeating her skull. Twilight steadies herself, hooves digging into the earth and kicking up some of the grass, the light emitting from her horn beginning to sparkle almost brilliantly. Twilight feels a smidge of hope, a smile blooming on her face before it falls.

She feels dashed!

“No!” She cries out, wondering why it was failing.

It flickers and sends sparks flying everywhere, and then it stops. It’s almost pitiful, seeing the magick drip from her horn pathetically like when you attempt to carefully pour something carefully and it dribbles out instead.

She angrily stomps her hoof on the earth, thoughts running out from her head until the music grows louder. She’d tried so many spells throughout her time to in a cain attempt to stop it, but still it persisted.

“You want me to listen to you? Fine! Fine!” She exclaims in frustration, voice rife with anger as she allows the song to overtake her thoughts. On pure intuition when the music is blasting through her thoughts, she attempts the spell again.

Twilight closes her eyes, attempting to hone in and completely misses how her magick takes on a different form. It bounces and swirls around her and rises and falls with the swells in the music. It bounces, small specks of the magick flow from the waving strands and begin to pool, slowly building up to a portal that swirls, growing brighter and brighter with a violet hue.

She’s mentally cursing herself for the energy she’s expending here, but at the same time, the spell is so close to its conclusion, she can feel it in her bones! She focuses on the lyrics of the song, taking in the sweet words. Is it a love song? She really can’t tell.

Remaining sunlight dances across her closed eyelids and Twilight can tell she’s used up all her power. She pants, coat covered in a foamy sheen as she shakes herself with the oncoming breeze. That was absolutely exhausting. She finds herself collapsing to the soft grass, taking in the scent of the earth and listens to the way the breeze shuffles through it. A long sigh escapes her lips before she opens her eyes.

Twilight lets out a yelp, jumping back several yards as she looks at the very confused creature standing with a pop can in front of her. “What the-, who the- what?” She begins to incoherently babble, her eyes wide with shock.

The creature in front of her almost drops his pop can before blinking. “What the- who are you?” Voice is male - must be a guy-

“Who are you?” Twilight asks, slowly standing on wobbly legs to the bird-like creature.

“I-I asked first?” He says, one of his eyes narrowing in confusion as he leans forward.

Twilight snorts and slowly walks up to the portal. “My name is Twilight Sparkle,” she answers hesitantly.

“M-Mordecai,” he replies just as hesitantly. “Why did you open a portal in my living room?” He questions as his beaked face draws closer and closer to the portal.

“I was trying to finish a spell, wait-” Twilight then pauses, her expression of hesitance turning to excitement. “I did it!” She cries out happily, beginning to hop up and down. “I really did it, I opened a portal to another reality!” She laughs, horn shooting off fireworks as a further expression of her joy.

Mordecai looks at the prancing purple unicorn with even more confusion. He hates to interrupt her, but he needs answers. “Why don’t you uh, take a seat and we can figure this out together?” He suggests, slowly backing up to sit on his couch.

Twilight stops prancing and blushes slightly before reeling herself back in, awkwardly trotting back to the portal’s edge. She places her hoof on it, watching as it ripples. She tries to step into it, displeased with seeing that it only dips in before bouncing back, sending her hoof flying back at her. She frowns. “Well, there’s this wizard named Star Swirl,” she starts, magick plucking his book up from her saddle bag.

The ended up talking late into the night, the light of the moon being the only thing that lit up their visages. Twilight had explained so much to Mordecai, and Mordecai to Twilight.

They were… Surprisingly more compatible than either of them had originally expected. However, nothing could prepare Twilight or Mordecai for what was about to happen next.

“Something about me that nopony knows?” Twilight hums. “I hear songs, a lot.”

“Oh dude, me too,” Mordecai seriously nodded. “But like, I’ve never heard the songs before? I can’t tell if my head is making them up or not,” he chuckles before his large wings crush his fifth pop can.

“What kind of songs?”

“There was this one about the Hokey Pokey, I think?” He began to list off. “And then another about the history of some group called the WonderBolts? But the one that stuck out the most was this one was about smiling,” he awkwardly laughs before rolling his eyes. “Weird, right?”

Twilight honestly can’t believe what she’s hearing. Those are all songs she’s sung at one point or another, with and without Pinkie Pie - that’s when she realizes it.

“You’re my soulmate.”

“What?”

“That’s-That’s our soulmate tie,” she continues, voice seldom higher than a whisper before light begins to sparkle in her eyes.

Mordecai’s eyes are wide. Soulmates? He was always under the impression he didn’t have one! He leaps up from his couch, not even caring about the emptied cans he’s sending to the floor.

The two laugh, feathers and hooves pressing against each other on the portal as they rest their foreheads in the same place.

“I’ve waited my whole life to meet you,” Mordecai wisps out, his voice soft and innocent. “Who knew all it took as a portal,” he chuckles breathily. “Eyes like stars and hair that falls so perfectly,” he compliments, wishing so badly that he could hold her.

Twilight hums and presses against the portal just a little tighter. “I’m so happy to have met you,” she whispers. He makes butterflies flutter in her stomach and her heart stop and race all at the same time. Is this what being in love feels like?

She honestly wished this moment could last forever. He was so close, yet so far…

There are so many more things they want to say to each other when the portal begins to glitch, the sparkles that made it gradually deconstructing and coming back to Twilight’s horn.

She gasps. “No, no, no!” She cries out, attempting once again to perform the spell.

“Twilight? What’s happening?” Mordecai questions, voice growing more and more panicky.

Twilight continually attempts the spell. “I don’t know! Nothing in Star Swirl’s journal-!” She uses her magick to pick up Star Swirl’s journal and looks through it, wondering if there’s any notes she can paw through. Anything, anything at all!

The portal disintegrates faster.

Mordecai bangs his fists against it, calling out for the purple unicorn. “Twilight! Twilight!” He calls out. There’s tears welling in his eyes.

Twilight begins to blink back tears as she reads the section in barely legible ink. It’s faded away with time, but it tells her exactly what she doesn’t want to hear.

‘The reality you open can only be opened once, never to be opened again by you or any other magick caster.’

It’s such an awful rule and almost too convenient, but she lets out a groan of frustration and flings the book back, attempting again and again to save the portal. It’s no use, the magick comes back to her faster than she can build it back up.

Her hooves grasp for Mordecai, attempting to hold onto him through the veil, tears wetting her fur. “Please, please don’t go!” She cries out.

Mordecai continues to claw helplessly at the portal as they stand on tiphooves and toes to see the remaining glimpses of each other, eyes now red and puffy.

“Don’t forget about me!” Twilight exclaims, voice cracked and broken.

“Don’t go, please don’t go!” Mordecai cries back, watching as the last of Twilight’s magick closes the portal, her cries still fresh in his ears.

The field is silent now and the moon hangs brightly in the sky. Stars dot the bluish black and Twilight can’t bring herself to move. Instead, she grips at herself, gazing up, and wistfully at that.

In another reality, Mordecai quietly floats outside, tears wetting his feathers and staining them as he gazes up at the full moon. The stars hang in the sky and alongside them, so too do airplanes. He watches their flickering yellow and red lights and brokenly chuckles to himself. He begins to hum, sending this one out to Twilight.

“Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?”

Twilight’s ears twitch as Mordecai sings in the back of her head, her face tilting upwards to be bathed in the light of the moon. More crystalline tears fall from her eyes and water the earth. She sniffles and wipes away some more of her tears with her forehoof.

“I-I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now…”

Separated by realities, the symphony plays on. It’s a cruel reminder of what could have been should they have lived on the same plane of existence.

[ask-wisteria]

Timeline Divergence Part 1

So I figured I’d make a little post to show the beginning of the changes from the canon show to Wisteria’s universe. All major arcs, villains, redemptions, episodes, are roughly the same up until season 9. And one major thing is what caused the divergence in this world. 

Twilight and Applejack began to become close, and start to date. They became a couple before Twi ascended, and was the first of the mane 6 to begin dating in their inner circle. They did small things, like stargazing, and Twilight became interested in earth pony magic after trying to study Pinkie. She began to hang around the farm, and did enjoy the company of AJ and her family. They were a simple happy couple.

Timeskip~

But she became a princess.. And she began to unravel a bit. She.. she was happy to make Celestia proud! All her hard work led to this one point! She reached a power only a hooful ever had.. She was a princess! Her!.. But.. nopony ever asked.. she never thought she would.. No. She can’t complain. Practically everypony wanted this.. right? She accepted the title with a smile. The wings.. the.. the imm.. no. She can’t think of it, or it hurts even worse. This Twi was more stressed and more panicked at the change, but managed to pull through with AJ sticking by her side through it all. And it made them even closer. She would spend long days at the orchard, telling AJ honestly how she felt about the whole thing. 

More time passed, and Twi And AJ continue to date happily. Twi moved on from the stress of becoming an Alicorn, she got used to her wings, her more powerful magic. She actually was happy her Earth Pony magic made her more helpful to properly help on the farm. She opened up her school, a place of study, everything was going well.. Minus the Cozy Glow incident.

Then that summon to Canterlot... Her and her friends rushed to Celestia’s call. Celestia offered Twilight the throne. Equestria. All of it, within hooves reach. Twilight smiled, grateful. The princesses truly believed nopony would be better for the job. She looked up at Celestia, and with tears in her eyes, said “No.” And turned and trotted out of the castle. While most of her friends were shocked, AJ was not, and trotted with her marefriend to the train station.

Twilight had been honest. She didn’t want Equestria. She had everything she needed. Her special marefriend. Her simple life on the Orchard. Running a school. (And her secret project with Cadence, to be able to allow same-sex couples to reproduce-) 

When they got back to the farm, AJ held Twilight as she cried. She had been honest, but it hurt to tell Celestia no. It hurt to see the disappointment on her mentor’s face.. Things would change. But.. Twilight had to be honest with herself now.. she would be much happier here in the orchard with AJ, then be alone in Canterlot. 

[linerwriter]

Proliferation

Part 1 and Part 2

The (hopefully) thrilling conclusion to the idea that took almost a year to finish! If this was on AO3 and I could see a date to when it was last edited, I would be ashamed.

An edited version will also be going up on AO3, if you are interested in seeing that. I do not know when it will be coming out, but hopefully before next year. I will be posting a link when it is up if anyone is interested.

TW: suicidal thoughts and trauma are expressed. If you wish to skip, it is from “Because I’m tired, Twilight” to “So how can I help you believe it?”

A week had passed since Wild’s attack, a week of tense silence and many excuses. Wild had woken up the house a few more times since then, but had still refused to elaborate on the reasons why. The only person he accepted to know was Zelda, and she was even tougher to crack.

“I’m really sorry, Mr. Time, but if you want to know, you need to ask Link yourself. It’s not my place to share someone else’s trauma.” Zelda said after Time tried to grill her for information. She slumped down, “I’ve tried my best to get him to open up, but he’s adamant on not doing that.”

Time sighed, “I understand, Princess. Just try your best to help him, okay?” She nodded and proceeded to leave the room, stopping at the entryway to look back at him.

“If you can find any way to help him, please do. And please, call me Zelda.”

Time smiled, “Of course, Zelda.” She smiled back and finally left the room, her short golden hair bouncing with her. He turned toward the other person in the room, the furry gray pelt seeming somehow deflated. Time could see the way Twilight’s eyes took on a more defeated tone than before they spoke to Zelda.

“Why?” Twilight whispered, “Why does he not want us to help him?”

Time closed his eye with a sigh, “I don’t know, cub. Perhaps he’s spoken to Malon about it?”

“But she would’ve told us by now if he did,” Twilight guessed. Time nodded silently, sitting down heavily in a chair. The two mingled in silence, an oppressive feeling in the air. It was broken when Twilight asked,

“How much longer until he breaks, Time?”

Time stared out the window, a helpless feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time creeping into his heart. “I don’t know.”

Their answer came later that night. It was decided that they were going to leave the next morning to meet with Time’s Zelda, and possibly leave Wild’s Zelda there to learn about the history of Hyrule that had been lost to the ages. 

The group had decided to head outside after dinner to enjoy the stars. They had set up a campfire and had taken turns sharing stories, regaling the others with quests of honor and mistakes. After Wind had shared about the first time he climbed out of a boat after sailing for a long time, which had led to many laughs, everyone turned to the duo glued together.

“You’ve must have done something dumb at one point, Wild.” Legend goaded the scarred hero, “Come on, tell us!”

Zelda giggled quietly, “I remember at one point, he tried to fly across Hyrule with some minecarts. He got to the Thundra Plateau and was zapped out of the sky!”

Wild smiled faintly, “And I seem to remember the time you thought you picked up a sword and it was really the bones of a dead bokoblin. You screamed so loud you woke up half of the forest.”

“Ugh.” Four wrinkled his nose, “I’m with you there, Princess.”

Zelda shuddered, “Never again. And like I’ve said, please, call me Zelda.”

“It’s kind of confusing to call you that, though, isn’t it? We all have our own Zeldas, so how do we know which one we’re talking about?”

Zelda hummed, “I see your point. A nickname, perhaps? You can give one to every Zelda you end up meeting.”

“That sounds like a good plan. What would you like to be called, Zelda?” Malon said warmly from beside Time.

Zelda thought for a moment, “Scientist, perhaps?”

Warriors shook his head, “Too stiff.”

“How about Bones? From how much you screamed at some?” Legend snickered.

Twilight saw the subtle flinch Wild made at the suggestion. He exchanged a look with Time, the other looking resigned. Zelda took his hand and said softly, “Maybe not that one.”

The naming went on for a few more minutes, the nicknames getting closer and closer but still not perfect. Zelda was clutching Wild’s hand tightly, looking at his blank expression every so often. Finally, they got to the point where everyone was quiet, listening to the crackle of the fire and thinking. It ended when a voice spoke up.

“Flora,” Wild said shortly, “Her name is Flora.” Then he left the group.

Twilight followed.

“Wild.”

“I’m fine, Twilight.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight raised an eyebrow at Wild’s back, “You don’t seem fine to me.”

“I’m fine, Twilight, now will you please leave me alone?”

“No, cub, because you’re very obviously not ‘fine’.”

Wild finally stopped walking to throw his hands up into the air, “Goddesses, Twilight, I’m fine! I just wanted to leave!”

“Yes, you’re fine and you didn’t just leave the group for no reason.” Twilight sighed, “Wild, I know. Whenever you say you’re fine, you’re never fine.”

“Oh? And how are you so sure?”

“Would you like a list?”

Wild breathed in slowly in annoyance. His voice was measured and clipped as he said, “I am okay, Twilight. You can go back to the group now.”

“Uh, no, I’m not.” Twilight crossed his arms as his voice became more serious, “Cub, I’ve seen you this entire week. You’re tense, constantly searching the surroundings for an exit. You’ve had nightmares multiple times this week, and yet, the only person allowed to help you is Flora.” With each word, Twilight saw Wild’s shoulders lower further and further, until he looked like a hedgehog. He continued lowly, “You don’t laugh anymore. You don’t smile. You react to a joke, sure, but it’s never genuine. Once the attention is off of you, you shut down.”

“Th-that’s…”

“I’m not the only one that’s noticed, Wild. Everyone has.” Wild whipped his head up in surprise, “They just know there’s no point in trying.”

Silence. Wild’s hands started to wring together, his head lowered to the ground. Twilight looked at him, his eyes boring into the smaller man’s head. 

“When will you tell me what happened, Wild?”

“I can’t,” came a wretched whisper.

“Why?” Twilight’s question was calm.

“Because it’s easier for me to keep my head down and ignore it.”

“Bullshit!” Twilight’s anger was starting to manifest outside of his mind. “You ignore it because it’s easier? When have we ever done that?!”

“Because I’m tired, Twilight!” Wild finally swung his eyes toward Twilight’s, who could see the pain and misery etched into them. “I’m sick and tired of being those deities plaything! For over a hundred years, I have been forced to do what they told me to, and at this point, I don’t care anymore. If this kills me, then so be it. I welcome it, even!”

“Don’t you dare say that!”

“And why can’t I? Because you care about me?” Wild’s voice started to steadily rise. “Do you know what it feels like to have your entire beliefs questioned? To know that because you just weren’t good enough, everything fell apart? I had to retrain myself to be worthy of the Master Sword, Twi, you know this! I was the one responsible for what happened when the Calamity came. I was the reason why it turned out the way it did. I WAS THE REASON WHY THEY’RE DEAD!”

So, Twilight thought, that’s what this is about. He watched numbly as Wild fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. With a faint sigh, he stood and crouched down next to his friend, rubbing his back gently. 

“...Do you wanna know why me and Zelda are always so close together?” Wild’s question came out quiet and defeated.

Twilight’s response was just as quiet. “Sure.”

The smaller man took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “D-down there, there were some monsters that liked to play with our minds. They could manipulate the way we perceived the world, make us see things that weren’t real.” His voice dropped to a whisper, “At one point, I thought Zelda had been killed.”

“And since they can’t replicate the Goddess’s light, you took to being close to one another to make sure it was real,” Twilight guessed with a sinking heart.

Wild nodded his head dumbly, staring at the fire. Twilight sighed again, “It’s okay to ask for help, you know. I’m always here, so is Time. You don’t have to keep it bottled up inside.”

“I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not a burden.”

“There’s a difference between knowing and believing, Twilight!” Wild snapped.

“So how can I help you believe it?” Twilight asked gently, “‘Cause you aren’t, Wild, and you never were. I guarantee you, if I go around to everyone in this group and ask if you are a burden, they would say no. You cook for us, you hunt for us, you make everyone worry whenever you do some death-defying stunt and come out alive at the end!” He shook his head, “Asking for help doesn’t make you a burden, Wild. It means you’re willing to start respecting yourself and allowing yourself to heal.”

Wild sniffed, “You really think so?”

“I know so.” Twilight took a moment to compose himself, “You know my journey. You know what happened during it. You know the trauma and fear it gave me; for years, I carried that around with me, unwilling to bare myself to the world and accept the love and kindness the people around me were desperately trying to give. It took Zelda finally knocking some sense into me to realize that keeping it to myself wasn’t good, it was harmful.”

“Did she really?” Wild turned his big blue eyes toward Twilight for a moment, a sparkle so curious it reminded Twilight of Colin.

He smiled ruefully, “Took a good smack at me.” He wagged a finger at Wild, causing the younger man to giggle, “Never offend a Zelda, they have a mean right hook. You should know that better than anyone.”

Wild nodded, the last of his tears drying up, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“Good, you’re smarter than me. Anyway,” Twilight became serious again, “you can’t keep bottling yourself up, pup. Do you have to share everything that happened right away? No, that would be cruel. But if something is wrong, like what happened last week, then you gotta say something. Even if it’s as simple as ‘I’m feeling sad today, can I have a hug?’ No one will blame you. Got it?”

Wild nodded again, “Got it. Can I have a hug right now?”

Twilight’s face softened, “Of course you can, pup. Come on, bring it in.” He opened his arms wide, giving the younger man a big bear (wolf) hug. Wild relaxed into the hold, breathing in the comforting scent of his pseudo-older brother. 

The two broke apart a few moments later, after Wild finally felt better for the first time in months. He took a deep breath, “Can I tell you a bit about what happened down there?”

Twilight very carefully didn’t react, “Whatever you want, Wild. And while we’re on that, mind telling me about the arm?” He gestured towards Wild’s limb, “It’s a bit more… glowy than before.”

Wild laughed lightly, “Sure. It all started when…”

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 11 - Celestia’s Secrets, Part 1

Twilight has been finishing up any remaining royal paperwork before she set out to get her invitees. She did make a brief teleport visit to see Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst to hand them a portal gum pack as well as (to her chagrin) give another to Pinkie after the pink pony wasted the majority of a pack looking for her sister in so many spots in Ponyville. But by now she was all done, and it was now time for her to get going. Her first stop? The Crystal Empire, to find her brother Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and her little niece, Flurry Heart.

She blows another bubble and as it pops, the image of just outside the Crystal Empire castle entrance shows. Twilight walks through the portal and is now just steps away from the crystal castle. In a moment or two, she’s in the throne room. Cadence or Flurry Heart wasn’t there yet, but she can see her brother just looking out the windows. Shining turns around and sees her little sister who’s about to be the sole ruler of Equestria in about a year. But even if she’s a year away from outranking him in an even bigger way, he can’t help but still call her…

Shining Armor: Twily!

Twilight: Hello B.B.B.F.F!

Twilight flies up and hugs her older brother, and he returns the favor.

Shining: Good to see you, sis! You have no idea how much liquid pride I’ve shed since I learned you were becoming sole ruler of Equestria soon!

Twilight: Haha, I bet.

They let go of the hug and just stand in front of each other.

Twilight: Now, not that it isn’t great to see you on your own. But do you know where Cadence and Flurry Heart are, I’d actually like to tell what I came here for while the whole Crystal Empire royal family is here.

Shining: She should be here shortly, she was just feeding Flurry in the kitchen. So she’ll be here any second now. Though before she does, how has my little dragon nephew been?

Twilight: He’s been good, I imagine he’s either visiting the changeling hive or the dragon lands right now inviting friends to the very thing I’m telling you and Cadence about.

Shining: Is his scarred eye still ok? Any nightmares or any other kind of PTSD from what happened in that battle with Zathir?

Twilight: He’s… had nightmares from time to time for sure… but for the most time the fact things turned out fine in the end, has mostly made that fade away in time. And his eye’s fine, I’m starting to finally get used to one eye being permanently purple.

Shining: Well that’s good, as a former guard commander I just get concerned about such things especially for how young he is. From what you told me, he was the reason things turned around back in Saddle Arabia. But even the biggest heroes can have PTSD.

Twilight: And that’s very touching of you, Shining. I’m sure if he were having troubles facing what happened back there, I would be the first pony to be aware and comfort him.

Hoof steps are heard from just outside the room. Cadence and Flurry Heart are back in the room, they see Shining Armor isn’t alone.

Cadence: Twilight!

Flurry: Auntwi!

Cadence runs up in front of Twi, and even with Flurry on her back. They do a little dance that Twilight and Cadence has done since she was Twilight’s babysitter.

Twilight & Cadence: Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves, and do a little shake!

The whole family giggles. Twilight then approaches to give her former babysitter a hug.

Cadence: Always a pleasure to see you in the Crystal Empire, Twilight!

Twilight: Alright, now I can tell you what I came here for. There will be a royal ball in Saddle Arabia as well as a wedding between Malakhar and Kubuya who live in Saddle Arabia days after, Spike as well as my other friends are using gum portals like these *floats her pack of gum* to go all over the world getting all the friends and family we want to bring. I thought I’d drop by here first.

Cadence: Well that sounds lovel-

Shining: Wait, Twilight. Did you say Saddle Arabia? Are you absolutely sure you should go, given what happened last time?

Twilight: I know, I know. I also got told concerns about it from Applejack and Rainbow Dash when I was inviting the other elements. But this time both me and the royal family are taking every precaution so something like Zathir can’t happen again. I promise it will be alright, but I understand your need to be protective. Heck, if you absolutely want to be sure you’re free to make another of those bubbles you made around Canterlot during you and Cadence’s wedding around the palace. But trust me in saying we’ll be fine this time. 

If an emergency happens, we’ll basically have much of the army we had against Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis too. And I will not be bottled up for even a second in Saddle Arabia. Even if there is another Zathir out there somehow, they’re going to have to find some way to get to Ponyville and Saddle Arabia and back. And the gum portals I’m using have magic authorization. No one without our permission will be able to use them.

Shining: Alright, if you’re sure it’s safe. then it should be a nice time. Heck, I’ll go just to make absolutely sure it’s safe. *winks*

Cadence: Yeah, should be a lovely time. Also congrats to your friends Malakhar and Kubuya on getting hitched soon! As the Princess of Love, this is certain to be an event where love is in the air!

Flurry: Aaraaybeeaa!

Cadence: Looks like Flurry’s interested too!

Twilight: Thanks for agreeing to go! It’ll be great to see you there, I need to head off to get off more I want to bring. I intend on getting my family and old friends in Canterlot as well as Celestia & Luna.

Shining: Alright, Twily. Tell our parents, I said hi!

Twilight: I will, Shining!

Cadence: We’ll see you at the ball, Twilight!

Flurry: Bye bye, Auntwi!

Twilight waves at the Crystal Empire royal family before making another portal off to the streets of Canterlot. While she’s walking around, she gets happy stares and cheers from the crowd. Given she’s the incoming Princess, that will be here much more often come a year’s time. They give Twilight her space, but she gets the occasional praise and bows from the populace as she walks through. While walking around, she suddenly finds two familiar ponies near each other. Starswirl the Bearded, and Tempest Shadow. 

The former being the leader of the pillars that were brought out of limbo, and the latter was a former commander of the Storm King’s army. When she started her invasion, she actually had learned beforehand Twilight was a genie, so she made sure she put her in stone first. However, despite also having gotten Cadence, and Celestia. The focus on making sure she got Twilight led into a successful escape for Luna. Luna and the rest of the elements then worked together to find allies from outside Equestria from Pirates, the Hippogriffs/seaponies, and more to defeat the Storm King and managed to bring Tempest to their side.

Twilight: Hi Starswirl! Hi Tempest!

Starswirl: Ah! Princess Twilight, pleasure to see you. And congratulations on your coming transition to the sole ruler here in Canterlot.

Twilight: Thank you, Starswirl.

Twilight turns towards Tempest

Twilight: How are you doing Tempest? Don’t worry, I don’t have any hard feelings about you turning me to stone.

Tempest: I’m alright, Princess. And yeah, a recon on Equestria before the Storm King’s invasion designated you as the biggest threat. Equestria is lucky the focus on you led to Luna’s escape. Though by now, I’m pretty thankful for that too.

Twilight: So what are you with Starswirl for?

Tempest: He was curious about my broken horn and how I’m able to have some decent control despite it.

Starswirl: Indeed, a broken horn should always result in some sort of random effect happening without any sort of control if the Unicorn is even powerful enough to still use it. But somehow, Tempest seems to have found a way thus far unique to her where she can.

Tempest: Well, my horn’s been broken since I was a filly, a part of it is I’ve gotten experience with it. It’s still hard to say, levitate things with it without sparking some magic electricity or something, but otherwise over the years having a hole instead of a full horn has actually somewhat been a boon for my firework-based magic.

Starswirl: Though you once said one reason you joined the Storm King is he promised to restore your horn if you did his bidding. Why haven’t you say, asked for Twilight to grant your horn back or at least tried something like crystal amputee horns?

Tempest: Being back in Equestria has made me found that my broken horn kinda helps a bit with my uniqueness. Like you said, I actually have an odd bit of control for some pony with a broken horn. Maybe I’ve just changed my mind, and decided it’d be my schtick.

Twilight: Well, if you ever change your mind again. I wouldn’t mind granting a wish to restore your horn. Though maybe at the very least I should make it so you can levitate easier.

Tempest: Hmm… yea. I suppose that’s fair enough. Twilight, I wish I could levitate better despite my broken horn.

Twilight closes her eyes and focuses her magic onto Tempest’s remaining part of her horn and her brain. In a few short seconds, she’s finished granting. Tempest’s head becomes a little light afterward but otherwise recovers quickly.

Twilight: There you go, test your levitation on that teacup nearby.

Tempest focuses on the teacup on the table. Her broken horn still brings out sparks but before this, her magic would be going off and on if she was levitating normally. Now it works just about as well as if she had her horn back

Tempest: Ah, thank you Princess. This will make things less of a hassle, and I can still keep something unique about me.

Twilight: You’re welcome Tempest. Now to both of you, would you possibly be interested in going to Saddle Arabia? A Royal Ball’s being hosted so just asking if you wanted to go. And Starswirl, if you go. Would you mind doing me a favor and bringing the rest of the pillars?

Tempest: Sure, why not.

Starswirl: Ah, Saddle Arabia. I don’t think I’ve been back there since before I was in Limbo. I might as well to see how that nation is doing, and meeting the current royal family. And sure, Princess Twilight, I will bring the rest of the pillars.

Twilight: Great! I’ll come by later when it’s time, but until then I have others here I want to invite. You two have a good day!

Starswirl: And you as well, Princess Twilight!

Twilight waves goodbye to Starswirl and Tempest as she walks in the direction towards where she knows her parents live. In just a few moments, she’s reached the house of which she and Shining Armor spent just about all of their childhood. Twilight herself feeling a sense of nostalgia as she stops to briefly look at her first home. She then approaches the front door, and knocks. Opening the door is her mother, Twilight Velvet

Twilight Velvet: TWILIGHT! How nice of you to come visit us!

Twilight Sparkle: Hi Mom and Dad!

Night Light: Come on in, Twily!

Twilight walks into the house and all three get seated in the living room

Night Light: To think, only a year from now you’ll be the sole ruler in Canterlot! Me and your mother are kinda excited that you’ll be back in Canterlot more often

Velvet: Though we are also aware that means you’ll be farther away from the friends you got to know in Ponyville. I hope you’re feeling ok considering that

Twilight: Oh that’ll be alright, I know Canterlot’s still the capital of Equestria and much of the business and politics requires for me to be there. Though I think I’ll have my ways of dropping by my Ponyville castle too. Perhaps it’d be a bit harder if I weren’t a genie also, but I’ll have ways to quickly get to Ponyville and back to Canterlot quickly I’m sure.

Night Light: Guess that’s true that you’re a genie that you get a few more advantages. Heck, you probably have a way of going to a meeting, saying you gotta use the bathroom, and check on your friends during a Pinkie Pie party in Ponyville real quick, before going back to the meeting like nothing happened, haha.

Twilight: Well, I’ll try not to abuse it to quite that level. But you’re right that I could technically do that. *giggles*

Velvet: Since the news that you were going to be taking over for Celestia and Luna, me and your father, have become sort of city-wide celebrities. We’re the parents of not just the Prince of the Crystal Empire, but also the incoming ruler of all of Equestria. I’ve gotten many news reporters asking how I got so lucky with both my children!

Twilight: Well you should tell them you’re not an average Unicorn yourself either, remember when you lifted yourself, Shining, and Flurry all at the same time on our Zeppelin ride? That seriously takes magic strength!

Velvet: Well yes, it’s true that I’m not bad at magic myself. I probably could of at least became a mage or something if I worked harder when I was younger. But I preferred wanting to take a normal life, you and Shining both get to do the important stuff now.

Twilight: Haha, I guess it’s thanks to your bloodline we even made it to where we are now. So I suppose a big thanks is owed to you.

Velvet: Oh no thanks are necessary, thanks for both being the best children I could ask for! Though speaking of children, how’s my grandson Spike doing?

Twilight: He’s good! He’s probably currently visiting Thorax in the changeling hive, or he’s in the dragon lands. Me and my friends are actually traveling all over because we’ve been inviting friends and family to something we’re going to soon. In fact, that’s actually what I came over here for. Cause I’m asking you two, if you’d be interested in going.

Velvet: Well, certainly if you, Spike, and many of your friends are going! Though just for clarification’s sake, what exactly is this?

Twilight: Saddle Arabia’s hosting a royal ball with Equestrian entertainment throughout as well as a wedding between my friends Malakhar and Kubuya there. How does that sound?

Velvet: That sounds wonderful! Of course I’ll go, how about you, honey? *She turns toward Night Light*

Night Light: Absolutely! Though Twilight, did you already get Shining, Cadence, and Flurry invited?

Twilight: Yep! They were my first stop actually.

Night Light: Great! I’ve been wanting to see my little alicorn granddaughter again for some time now! And of course me and your mother’s first born too!

Twilight: Alright, this means I got the whole family on board. I hope I’m not being too rude on cutting our reunion short but I must go and get everybody else here in Canterlot I want to invite. I still have some of my old Canterlot friends including Moondancer, and I also hope to get Celestia and Luna there as well.

Velvet: Oh it’s no problem at all, any time at all is good. Plus there will be both more time to see you at the ball itself, and when you’ll be in Canterlot a year from now! But perhaps, at least don’t leave until you’ve given me and your father a hug.

Twilight: Of course!

The three Sparkle family members move closer to each give each other a big, long hug. Once they let go. Twilight starts to walk out the door and waves to her loving parents.

Twilight: I’ll see you both there!

((Story continues after the break))

She then takes off to the air and flies around carefully watching the streets until she catches any glimpse of any of her ol’ Unicorn friends Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and especially Moondancer. She would also keep a look for Lyra if she still lived here, but she knows she lives in Ponyville and perhaps one of her friends picked her up at some point. 

In fact, she rolls her eyes thinking likely Pinkie may have gotten her amidst using her entire pack on Ponyville. Eventually, Twilight sees at least three of the four together eating lunch together. It’s Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine. And she proceeds to fly down towards their table. The first to catch site of Twilight of the three is Minuette.

Minuette: Twilight! What a surprise to see you in Canterlot so soon!

Twinkleshine: Yeah, I thought we weren’t going to see you here yet until you were officially inaugurated

Lemon Hearts: But nice to see you here, anyway!

Twilight: Well, I’m not going to be here for too long until then, so from that end you may still be right, Twinkleshine. But I’m going somewhere soon with my son Spike, the rest of my family, and my Ponyville friends. And I thought it’d be a good gesture to invite you all and Moondancer along for the ride as well.

Minuette: Ooooo, where are you going?

Twilight: Saddle Arabia for a Royal Ball and wedding for two friends who live there.

Twinkleshine: Well, I don’t think any of us have any big plans soon enough before whenever this starts. So sure, why not?

Lemon Hearts: I’ll go too

Minuette: Me three!

Twilight: Thanks, now do you three know where Moondancer is? I hope she hasn’t gone back into a shell in her home…

Twinkleshine: Oh no, Moondancer’s definitely been with us more often since that time you first came back to see us, some years back. Though she did sort of announce something to us just recently that you may want to know as well

Twilight: Oh? What’s that?

Lemon Hearts: I think it was only about a week ago, but she said she wants to move away from Canterlot.

Twilight: Wait, really?! That’s a surprise. I thought she’d never give up being here, always steps away from the Canterlot library she’s spent so much time in.

Twinkleshine: We were as surprised as you, but she said she wanted to get a chance to find a more exotic place to study or at the very least a different place in Equestria for a fresh, new experience.

Twilight: I see, that’s a little bit of a bummer for me since I was almost kind of looking forward to seeing Moondancer more often then I was, once I’m ruling in Canterlot within a year. But I’ll respect her decision, though I’d still like to talk to her first. She’s in her house, right?

Minuette: Yep! She should be home.

Twilight: Alright, thanks all of you. I’ll see you all at the ball, and hope you have a good time.

Twilight waves to her old friends as she goes back in the air to fly towards Moondancer’s house. She gets there in just a few minutes. She arrives at Moondancer’s front door and knocks. Moondancer’s voice is heard from inside

Moondancer: Who’s that at my door?

Twilight: It’s just me, Twilight!

Moondancer: Oh! Twilight! Feel free to come in, the door’s actually open.

Twilight opens the door herself and walks toward the room Moondancer is in. She’s simply been sitting in a recliner thinking by the fireplace on her lonesome.

Twilight: Hi Moondancer, it’s good to see you again.

Moondancer: You too, Twilight. Sole ruler of Equestria within a year from now, huh? You’ve gone a long way from the humble roots of the streets of Canterlot.

Twilight: Yeah, haha… I guess I have. But aside from that, I just got done talking with Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine.

Moondancer: Did they tell you that…

Twilight: You’re moving from Canterlot soon? Yeah, they did. It surprised me for sure, and I admit a little bit of a bummer. I could of been able to drop by more often, even if course I’ll be busy with much of the politics that goes on here.

Moondancer: I hope you know I’m not moving, because you’re coming back. That wasn’t a factor at all, I was a little worried about the timing of this that maybe you’d think maybe I still held a little bit of a grudge, and decided to leave Canterlot just as you were about to be here a lot more often.

Twilight: I’ll admit a small part of me was concerned about that. But just know that I respect your decision regardless, it’s the least I can do for our friendship. Though if it’s ok, maybe I can personally ask you why you’re moving? I got the gist from our other friends here, but thought I’d hear it straight from you to be sure

Moondancer: Well, I’ll always appreciate Canterlot. I’ve lived here all my life after all. But I thought I’d go try living somewhere else to sort of expand my horizons. I’ve even thought of possibly going as far as moving to somewhere outside of Equestria in general, for a real new experience. 

The only problem with considering the entire world for places to move. Is I have so many choices, And I don’t exactly have the means to just try traveling the world and see which place feels right to me. 

I have to hope I find my next home within at least the first few tries… and like the look of the place, have a nice experience, and… maybe… juuuuuust maybe… findaspecialsomeponytoloveperhaps  *She whispers and speaks that last line fast in a way Twilight can barely hear*

Twilight: What was that last part?

Moondancer: *blushes and looks side to side* Nothing, ahahaha…

Twilight: Well, I don’t know if you’ll end up picking it. But I do have somewhere I can invite you for free for you to at least give a good try.

Moondancer: What’s this place?

Twilight: How does Saddle Arabia sound to you?

Moondancer: Hmm… I admit Saddle Arabia I had high up as possibilities of my outside of Equestria spots. It couldn’t hurt to see how I feel about it. Though what is this event exactly?

Twilight: There will be a Royal Ball hosted by the royal family there, as well as a wedding between two of my friends who live there. My son Spike, and all my friends are also traveling across Equestria to gather friends and family to bring there. Equestrian Entertainment will be on stage, and lots of good food.

Moondancer: Wow, that sounds like the absolutely most grand way to experience Saddle Arabia. We’d all get to participate in what’s essentially a party,in what I hear is one of the most luxurious palaces in the world there? And maybe even meet the royal family?

Twilight: Mmhmm

Moondancer: Well then, of course I’ll go! Even if I’m not quite feeling it in the end, I will have given Saddle Arabia its best shot I could.

Twilight: Sweet, I’ll be happy to see you there. I have to start going now, as my last stop will be seeing if I can get Celestia and Luna there as well.

Moondancer: No problem, Twilight. Maybe I’ll re-read any books I have here about Saddle Arabia to refresh my mind about the place until then.

Twilight: Good idea! Seeya at the ball, Moondancer!

Twilight waves off to her old friend and closes Moondancer’s door. Once Twilight has left, Moondancer goes off her couch and looks at a newspaper she’s had back when the aftermath of the battle against Zathir was the headline of the Canterlot newspaper. Flipping to a page where a photo of all the designated heroes at the victory ceremony of most of the elements, Spike, the Sultana, and  Prince Theandri II. Moondancer in particular looks at the Prince in the photo. She blushes and thinks to herself

Moondancer: (Maybe... I’ll get to meet him...)

Twilight has taken off into the air once more and heads straight for the crown jewel of Canterlot: The royal castle, where at least for now Celestia and Luna still sit as dual leaders of Equestria. But come a year’s time will now be all her’s in a year. 

Coming to the front gates, she comes across Royal Guards, who all recognize her as Princess Twilight and bow before letting her in. Any other guards and staffers who see her as she walks through the halls all take a bow for the incoming Princess. Twilight finally reaches the throne room where both Celestia and Luna are seated. Both look at their successor, and for Celestia herself, the former student she has the most pride in.

Celestia: Welcome, Princess Twilight!

Twilight: Always a pleasure to see you, Princess Celestia. Though I’ll admit, it’ll probably be a while before I break the habit of calling you Princess once I’m sole ruler. Same with you, Princess Luna

Celestia: It’ll probably be weird to us, too. So you won’t be alone, I’m sure. But regardless, I hope you, your son Spike, and all your friends are doing well. 

I also want to say sorry that for now, that we can’t arrange easy plans to simply move the capital to Ponyville where your castle lies. But for now, we wanted a standard procedure that while the leaders are changing... The place is the same. 

But if you so wish, at some point in your reign you’re free to order a move of the capital on your own in the near future to Ponyville, if you find Canterlot is just too far away from your dear friends.

Twilight: That shouldn’t be necessary, a plus about being a genie should give me the ability to have ways of getting to Ponyville and Canterlot quickly. Heck, I created magic gum to get here to Canterlot fast earlier. I obviously won’t abuse it to duck any important matters, but I’ll have my ways of checking on my friends if need be.

Suddenly, a group of butlers, guards, and other kinds of Royal staff enter the throne room slowly. They’re here peacefully, as they just have some concerns about the coming transition

Butler: Princess Twilight, we all come in peace, don’t worry. But we just want to ask that when the transition comes to pass, what do you plan to do with many of us once you’ve been seated? 

Some of us are concerned about being removed from jobs that we don’t want to leave and would proudly continue on to serving you, others are concerned you’ll try to force them to stay despite them wishing to step down as soon as Celestia and Luna have stepped down as well. Those in the latter don’t mean any personal insult to you, Princess. But if they may be honest, they went to work for Celestia and/or Luna. And with a new leader coming in, they want to use their royal resume to find other jobs elsewhere.

Twilight just turns to the concerned staffers and guards, and gives them a gentle smile.

Twilight: Do not fear, regardless of your concerns. If you wish to stay and continue serving when I’m sole ruler, you will keep your position as if Celestia and/or Luna trusted you, then I trust you as well. 

And as for those who wish to step down once Celestia and Luna have, I understand you’re probably afraid I’ll think that you’ll be making the transition harder by making me have to find someone new to take the position... 

But I promise I will be understanding, in fact the sooner you tell me you want to step down, the easier it will be because as we get closer to the transition, I’ll start a process for vetting candidates for the job.

The group of staffers and guards all express relief, and all give genuine thankful bows to the new princess wisely taking a direction that benefits all the staffers individually, even at the potential cost of making the transition somewhat less smooth.

Butler: Thank you, Princess Twilight. Just this one answer, is proof you’ll be just as wise as Celestia has been for more then a thousand years, and that she chose the right successor. I was on the fence personally, on whether I’d stay or go. But what you said has personally gotten me on board of staying on for the foreseeable future. It’ll be an honor. *bows*

Twilight: You’re all very welcome!

The group of staffers and guards leave the throne room satisfied that their jobs are either secure, or they’ll have the freedom to leave for elsewhere. Celestia claps that Twilight handled the group quickly and tactfully.

Celestia: Well done, Princess Twilight. I’ve already known for a long time that you were the one to succeed me, but tiny moments like these help cement that I and Luna made the right decision leaving Equestria in your capable hooves.

Twilight: Thank you, Princess Celestia. Though uh… is it ok if we perhaps move to a comfier spot like the private chambers to talk?

Celestia: Of course, let’s go!

Celestia, Luna, and Twilight all walk to the private chamber where Celestia and Luna always went for alone time by the fireplace, when they could find time to relax. Each sitting or laying on cushions on the floor.

Celestia: By the way, Twilight. I have some things to tell you that I’m sure you’ll be interested in hearing, but first I have a strange feeling you didn’t come here to just visit us in the castle for a short while and talk.

Twilight: Your feeling is right, Princess. I actually came to invite you both to a Royal Ball and perhaps a wedding between Malakhar and Kubuya as well taking place in Saddle Arabia soon. I along with my son and my friends are currently going around the world to find family and friends they’ve met over the years. And you two are my last stop before I go on and submit the invitation list to the Royal Family there. 

I know you two are currently still technically ruling Equestria, so I imagine you two might be busy. But if there’s room, I’d like to see both of you there.

Celestia: I think we can make time, we may still be ruling. But knowing that we’re out soon has lessened our schedule, as many of our usual dignitaries we meet with have agreed to wait till’ you’re fully in office to get things busy again. I’d love to go.

Luna: I can attend as well, Twilight.

Twilight: Thank you, both of you. That means I’m all finished invite-wise. Though you said you have some things to tell me, Princess Celestia?

Celestia: Yes, there are two stories I want to tell you that I feel like was the right time to tell you at last. The first of which I’m sure you’ll definitely want to hear, would you like to know where I first found Spike’s egg?

Twilight goes wide eyed.

Twilight: Yes, yes, yes! Of course I want to hear that! Where was his egg originally?!

Celestia: Well, in a strange sense of things coming full circle. I came across Spike’s egg near Saddle Arabia after a small, teenage colt who was also there presented it to me

Twilight: Wait, what?! Spike is a dragon native to Saddle Arabia?!

Celestia: I wouldn’t exactly say native, you see his egg was in a cave by what seemed to have been a mother dragon that let go of her eggs there

Twilight: Oh no... Spike... wasn’t abandoned by his birth mother was he?

Celestia: No, not abandoned. However, it seems… laying Spike’s egg… might have been his birth mother’s last action while alive

Twilight: *gasp* Spike’s dragon mother is deceased?!

Celestia: Sadly, yes. It’s why I brought the egg to Equestria, even if say we could find who was the father. Father dragons do not take care of young, and Dragon mothers are almost never fond of adoption. So I had to take the egg with me to decide what exactly to do with it. It was thanks to a dream of all things, that I learned what exactly to do

*Flashback*

Celestia is resting in her royal chambers, in the room is the purple egg she brought back from Saddle Arabia. She gets a few hours of sleep before a very vivid dream appears.

Celestia finds herself in a dream space, and she found she had a little more control and was able to be aware that she was dreaming while not waking up. The last time she was able to dream like this… her sister was not in the moon.

Celestia: Luna…? Is this your doing? I don’t know how you’re doing this from the moon if you are but…

Celestia then hears an unfamiliar voice

???: I’m afraid, I’m not who you hope I am

Celestia: Who are you? You’re not evil, are you?

???: Do not worry, I mean no harm. I don’t need to tell you who I am, however.

Celestia: That seems questionable, but what exactly am I in this lucid dream for?

???: I have a purpose for you, but first. I must read your mind

Celestia: Wait, I’m not sure I trust you yet…

???: You don’t necessarily have to, but I must trust you can help with my deepest desire. Perhaps my desire could connect to your own.

A small wave of white energy speeds toward Celestia, it freaks her out at first, but all it does is simply spin around her head, causing no harm.

???: I see, I can hear your desires… you wish to have your beloved sister back… you wish to have a new protege that could perhaps be your successor one day…

Celestia: What’s the point of you learning this about me?

???: Cause I need you to help fulfill a desire of mine as well… by finding the one who can hatch the egg you found in the cave… It’s under strong magic protection, the embryo will stay alive as long as it needs to… waiting for the right one to hatch it… If you find the one who can hatch it… you will also know your next protege… she will free your sister when the time comes… and perhaps she’ll be your successor in time…

Celestia: Find the one who can hatch the egg…? But… if a pony hatches it… Can they really be able to take care of a dragon?

???: Do not worry, one way or another… The one who hatches the egg, will develop a strong bond with the child… for my desire was for the child in the egg to have the perfect mother…

Celestia: Wait a moment… you’re the dragon who died in the cave aren’t you! How are you speaking to me? Do more spirits like you exist?!

???: I cannot maintain this dreamspace and answer your questions for much longer… just please do all you can to grant my desire… and in time, you’ll find your own granted as well…

The dreamscape world suddenly starts fading, and Celestia’s dream self starts falling until it jolts her awake, as if it was the end of a nightmare.

Celestia: (…What exactly was that, was that actually real?)

Celestia looks on over to the Dragon egg

Celestia: (If that wasn’t just a strange dream I just had… if I can find who can hatch this egg… I’ll know who my next protege will be… and quite possibly finally get Luna freed… and a potential successor… this sounds too good to be true… but I have to try to make sure it comes true… I’ll have to make hatching the egg an entrance exam at my magic school. If there’s anypony who’s going to be able to break that magical protection, it’ll be a unicorn with strong magic potential…)

*Flashback ends*

Twilight: *gasp* So that’s how you knew immediately I was the one… I remember you telling me you saw the moment Spike’s head popped out of the tower of the school. That’s when you knew the dragon had been hatched, and my immense magical power showed up for the first time… 

I always felt that you had a strange sense of omniscience at that moment. Though given you only had one dragon egg to use as an entrance exam. What happened to ponies who failed to hatch the egg?

Celestia: They were given a chance to still attend the school of course, it just simply showed they weren’t my next protege. So when you came in, hatched the egg, and had a huge magic outburst. I knew that you were the one who was going to grant both me and the voice in my dream’s wishes

Twilight: Dang, almost makes me feel like I was a genie long before I actually did become one, haha.

Celestia: Perhaps you becoming a genie was an unexpected twist that put this into full circle, as after all, if you were wished to be the perfect mother for the little dragon in the egg that would end up being Spike… You would agree to having an immortal life, to make sure you’re there for him when he’s older… Though I guess becoming my successor, would have fulfilled that as well… but I guess you can blame me for never really telling you that was my plan, until I truly felt you were ready to become a princess.

Twilight: Wow… I guess in hindsight now it all makes sense. I absolutely must tell Spike everything about this, especially the rather sad news that his birth mother has long been dead. 

Though there’s one detail, if I heard it correctly, about your story during your “dream” that has me wondering about something. The voice in your dream AKA Spike’s birth mother, said NEW protege. Doesn’t that imply you had one before me? Or was that just strange wording?

Celestia: That happens to be the main subject of the 2nd story I wanted to tell you about. Yes, I indeed had a protege before you… 

and her name… was Sunset Shimmer…

Twilight lets out a huge gasp hearing that name.

NEXT UP: Chapter 12: Celestia’s Secrets, Part 2

[queenof-literature]

I'm asking again because I absolutely adore your work! You write the Links telling stories amazingly. It truly feels that Wild was telling the stories. Could write the all Links talking about their loves. It would be mix of fluff and angst because we have Sky and Time, who are both happy with their respective partners, but we also have Wild, Twilight, and Legend who I imagine are all lost in their own ways. I have not played all the games so feel free to interpret how you wish!

Hi again! Thank you! I'm so glad you like my work! I haven’t played all the Zelda games either, but I have watched many playthroughs. I have played Skyward Sword, Twilight Princess, and BOTW, and I’m going to play Link’s Awakening after I’m done with Hollow Knight, because unfortunately that’s all I have access too with the game systems I have. But I have watched playthroughs of the rest! So thank you for letting me have my own interpretation because I see a lot of the relationships besides the ones you mentioned and more platonic. I think Wind and Tetra would be sweet but they’re twelve during the game ya know? I apologize there is less storytelling in this one, but I feel a lot of them wouldn't be quite ready to spill all the beans. Hope you enjoy!

    Time didn’t really know how it had descended this far into chaos. One moment, Warriors was telling a tale of a ‘grand exploit’ in a tavern in his Hyrule, the next, there was screaming and yelling and multiple ‘innocent young ears’ being covered. Time thinks it all started when in the middle of the story, Warriors was telling them about a beautiful young lady he had met, to which Legend groaned and rolled his eyes. Instantly Warriors’ smile grew sharp and his eyes filled with teasing and mischief. Time knew that look, that was the look that promised Warriors was about to do anything to make the other boy uncomfortable, even making up the rest of the story if he had too. 

    Yes that’s certainly what began this quick but entertaining descent into Hell. Warriors began to tell how this young woman just ‘couldn’t keep her hands to herself’ as he stared right into Legend’s soul. Of course, Legend, not one to back down from a challenge, began yelling about his experiences in the tavern, also probably made up, and started screaming about a young lady who ‘really liked his magic items’ to which led Sky to yelling at both of them to keep quiet as he covered Wind’s ears. Wind then laughed and covered Hyrule’s ears, who giggled and reached up and covered Sky’s ears to create a Triforce of protecting the innocent. Twilight, seeing this happening, smirked and covered Wild’s ears to which he fought vehemently but Twilight wouldn’t budge. Four was shifting expressions so fast it was hard to keep track, from amused, to annoyed, to horrified, to resigned, and then a weird combination of all of them. 

    Legend and Warriors continued screaming at each other, and as entertaining as it was, if Time didn’t stop them soon they would be screaming all night. 

    “Gentleman. While I’m sure many of us enjoy hearing your exploits, I think the entire forest doesn’t feel the same way.” Time voiced, causing Warriors and Legend to blush and grumble while the rest of the group laughed. 

    “Yeah, yeah we get it Old Man. You have a beautiful and loving wife at home.” Warriors teased back.

    “Your point?” Time smirked. 

    “Yeah Warriors, just cause you don’t want to settle down don’t mean we feel the same way.” Twilight called from the other side of the campfire as Wild finally fought his way out of Twi’s strong hold. 

    “Who said I never want to settle down, goat boy?” Warriors called back.

    “You called my wedding ring a shackle.” Time chuckled. 

    “Well sure it is. But who knows if I want a shackle one day.” The camp laughed at this.

    “This mean you got someone Captain? Perhaps your Zelda?” Legend teased. 

    “No, my Zelda is amazing, and badass to boot. But I don’t really feel that way about her, at least not now.” Warriors smiled. 

“Yeah, same with my Zelda. I’m not sure how she feels about me anyway.” Hyrule sighed. 

“Same here.” Legend said simply, though the group could see a haunted look in his eyes. No one mentioned it, Legend would speak up if he wanted to, and most likely not in front of the entire group. 

“You don’t have to marry Zelda. I love my Zelda but not romantically.” Time stated gently to Hyrule.

“Yeah I know. I guess I’m still kinda shocked you got married Time.” Hyrule blushed when he realized how bad that sounded as Warriors held back a laugh disguised as a cough. “I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant that I always thought heroes didn’t really settle down. They kept saving and saving.” Hyrule finished with his hands up in a placating manner, but Time wasn’t offended at all.

“I know buddy. As I said, it took me years to see through that lie. I’m happy with Malon, and I’m out here with you boys too. You can take time for yourself too, it’s not selfish.” Time smiled softly at Hyrule. Although he didn’t mean to, Time’s words sent a stab of guilt through some of the other members. He should be home with his beautiful and loving wife. Not here on another quest after he had done so much already. But they sure were grateful to have him. 

“What about you Wild?” Wind asked. “You and your Zelda seem really close from what you’ve told us.”

“Um, well I’m not sure.” Wild rubbed the back of his neck. “I love her, and I know I did before, but I don’t know if I can imagine us you know, kissing and stuff.” Wild blushed as laughter roared up.

“Very elequantly put, Wild.” Warriors cackled. 

“You got plently of time to figure that out Cub.” Twilight clapped a hand on his shoulder as the laughter died down. 

“What are you laughing for, Wind?” Warriors ruffled his hair as Wind knocked his arm away. “You always talk about Tetra.” Warriors smirked as Wind sputtered and flushed a deep pink up to his ears.

“Tetra’s awesome! I wish she were here to kick your ass for saying that!” Wind yelled as he smacked Warriors’ shoulder. 

Four elbowed Sky. “What about you lover boy. You wanna talk about your Zelda?” Four teased as Sky’s face lit up.

“Ugh don’t get him started he won’t shut up for the rest of the night.” Legend grumbled. But it was too late. Sky had already begun.

“She’s amazing. She can play the harp and sing like Hylia herself.” Sky started with a dreamy look on his face. “One time before the Wing Ceremony, she thought I was being lazy and pushed me off of Skyloft to try and get me to call my Loftwing, but he had been put in a place he couldn’t reach me. So she had to save me herself.” Sky still had that dopey look on his face as his brothers snickered at his story. 

As Sky rambled on about his Zelda, Twilight’s eyes had grown clouded, staring at the stars peeking through the warm orange glow of the coming twilight. Wild would catch him doing this sometimes, and it always looked like Twilight was having a bittersweet memory. Wild glanced over at Time, making sure he noticed too, he was Twi’s mentor afterall. Time made eye contact with Wild and gave a small nod to acknowledge he was on the same page Wild was. Before either of them could do anything, Warriors spoke up.

“What about you country boy? You have someone?” Warriors asked and the rest of camp perked up. Twilight had never talked about his love life, besides a few jokes about ‘his heart being shattered’. Hopefully he was exaggerating…

“Uhh no.” Twilight responded after snapping out of his daze to find the entire camp looking at him curiously. 

“Does this have anything to do with the princess you talked about when Wild showed us his scars?” Four asked carefully, trying to portray that he wasn’t trying to overstep any bounds. 

“Yeah I guess so…” Twilight trailed off. Legend felt something cold in his heart at this conversation. He could tell Twilight lost his love, because he had seen that same expression in the mirror for years. He wanted to help Twilight know he wasn’t alone, he wasn’t the only one that had his heart shattered by things out of his control. The boy had always been a sturdy shoulder for all of them, it was time he returned the favor. He just didn’t know how without revealing too much or making Twilight uncomfortable. 

“There was a girl once.” Legend’s voice emerged from the silence. “Hair more red than you can imagine. She lived on an island I… found but… I did something wrong. My curiosity got the best of me, and now she and the island are gone.” Legend got out as little of the story as possible as quickly as possible while still seemingly indifferent. It was one thing to open up to all of his brothers, but it was another to cry in front of them. He couldn’t. 

Twilight seemed genuinely surprised Legend had spoken up about what was haunting him. Legend was sure that the others were just as shocked but he only looked at Twilight. He wanted Twi to know he wasn’t the only one. He needed Twi to know he wasn’t the only one. Talking about it was humiliating and almost impossible and just downright painful. He needed Twi to know he had been there too. Twi gave him a gentle and understanding look, one that told Legend he understood what he was trying to do, and that he was more than grateful and supportive of him. Warriors set a gentle hand on his shoulder, slow enough that he could pull away if he needed to. Legend allowed it, but nothing more. It’s more for that idiot’s peace of mind anyway. He didn’t take any comfort in it at all…

“My companion on my quest was awful to me at first.” Twilight’s voice rang out to replace Legend’s in the silence around the campfire. “She was awful to me at first but we started to talk more along the way and we became closer. Then she just… left. I don’t know what I did wrong…” Twilight trailed off, once again looking at the quickly fading twilight above. He wanted to talk more about it, and he could tell Legend did too. They just weren’t ready yet. 

Wild bit his lip. Time was much better at comforting Twilight, but he was on the other side of the fire and making a move to be next to him would draw attention Twilight didn’t want. Wild leaned some of his weight against the older boy. He had to at least try to comfort him after all Twilight had done for Wild since they met. Twilight smiled slightly when he felt the weight and leaned back. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.  

“I don’t think you did anything wrong Twilight.” Wild spoke quietly, messing with the hem of his tunic. “I mean you talked about your companion being from the Twilight Realm right?” Twilight nodded slightly, looking pained. “Well maybe she had to go for another reason? I’m not saying you should just forget.” Wild rushed to say. “But maybe it was really complicated if both of you were growing closer to each other and she wasn’t as mean as before?” Wild finished his words with a question. Twilight never told him enough about his companion to know for sure what really happened. But he could at least try to comfort his mentor. 

Twilight looked down at Wild and smirked, but it lacked the tease it normally had, it held gratitude and love. “Thanks, Cub.” Twilight said simply, then reached out a hand to quickly ruffle the youngers’ hair. Wild yelped and slapped his hand away. Relief overwhelmed the boys in the group, thankful that the atmosphere had lifted slightly. 

“I know it’s not the same.” Warriors started once the others had settled down. “But there was this woman. She was the main one who tried to take the Triforce for herself other than Ganon. Apparently she was supposed to protect the Triforce, but she… fell in love with me.” Warriors waited for the teasing to begin. He knew he made many jokes about the women he had met, but it seemed the group could tell this sometimes plagued his mind. 

“That was one of the reasons she started the war that I fought in. I found out later that her light was driven from her to create my friend Lana, so she became completely dark. I had to fight in her temple and there were pictures of me all over the walls and…” Warriors paused. He couldn’t talk about his overconfidence yet. He couldn’t talk about his mistakes that led to Dark Link. What if the others hated him for it? “I don’t know it may sound silly. But having someone obsessed with you like that is, scary I guess. I mean, people died in those battles, because she was jealous of Zelda and me but I’m not even sure how I feel about Zelda. She died and I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I know I’m not required to have feelings for her, especially after all she had done, but it still made me feel… I don’t know.” Warriors sighed. Legend leaned slightly into Warriors’ hand on his shoulder. He never knew Warriors had that part of his story. The rest of the group felt twangs in their hearts at Warriors’ confused tone. 

“It’s not your fault Warriors.” Wind smiled up at him. “You’re right. You shouldn't force yourself to feel that way for anyone. The war wasn’t your fault.” Warriors smiled down at his small companion and nodded in thanks.

“Wind is right.” Hyrule stated quietly. “There were people after me because of the Triforce. That doesn’t mean it’s our fault.” No one mentioned that the word ‘were’ sounded a little strained. they’d have to keep an eye on him in his Hyrule it seemed. 

“Thanks guys.” Warriors grinned. It was a little more troubled than his usual grin, but it was a welcome sign nonetheless. Sky looked a little guilty at having proclaimed his love so confidently. Four pat his shoulder and shook his head. Sky shouldn’t feel guilty for being happy. None of the other boys would ever want that. 

“Look at all of us.” Legend teased with a wry smile. The rest of the group chuckled slightly. The atmosphere wasn’t as happy as it had been, but there was an odd relief, like the relief after crying. A bittersweet acceptance that hearts had been broken, but they still had brothers to fall back on. The group could tell no one else was ready to talk about anything else for the night, so they began to settle in. Surprisingly, Twilight laid his bedroll near Legend that night. While no tears were shed, the group was still exhausted from a long day of travel. After the other heroes had settled down, Twilight laid awake, looking at the stars. He knew Legend would be up too, the hero never seemed to sleep right away. And now Twilight had suspicions why after his tale.

“Hey Legend?” Twilight whispered after he was positive everyone was asleep, save Four, who was on the outskirts of camp keeping watch, too far away to hear their whispers.

“What?” Legend pretended to look annoyed but Twilight could see the curiosity in his eyes.

“What was her name?” Twilight asked quietly, praying that he hadn’t crossed a line. When Legend didn’t answer, he figured he would apologize and awkwardly turn over in his bedroll and pretend to sleep.

“Marin…” Legend whispered the name with such sadness, but such awe that it threw Twilight for a loop. “Your companion?” Legend questioned back.

“Midna.”  

[dinfeanoriel]

Fourty-Two V

Another little fic I whipped up. Enjoy some Sky and Twi.These boys are not often given the spotlight together.  

~~~~

“NO!” 

It was Wind’s excruciatingly agonized cry that startled and alarmed the Heroes in the midst of a battle against revitalized Lizalfos and Bokoblins- courtesy of the loathsome Blood Moon. 

Lizalfos, Bokoblins, and Moblins alike came into existence. The Heroes had watched them unearth themselves or form from Malice. Wild had once given them a detailed description of the Blood Moon and all that was wrought from it, but to see it with their very eyes...to experience it first-hand...

It was unbelievable. 

Sky’s heart leaped into his throat, a sharp pang of terror lancing through him and choking him, 

“Wind!” He cried, unrestrained worry and a tremor of fear in his voice. 

“Wind, don’t-!” 

Sky watched Warrior viciously tear himself away from the Moblin he’d been facing, breaking into a run for the Sailor as the reckless Wind made a desperate lunge for a nearby cliff. 

They were hundreds of meters above the vast and open Lake Hylia, precariously battling along the gargantuan cliffs lining the glimmering waters below. Red and black calamity flakes fizzled in and out of existence. The world was bathed in crimson, the ripples and disturbances along the Lake’s waters reflecting the ominous light shining down from the Blood Moon as it rose higher in the sky. 

Clouds sped across the entirety of the heavens, casting menacing, ever-changing shadows along the ground. 

Sheer determination fed the adrenaline coursing through Warrior’s veins, pushing the Knight faster and granting him unnatural speed and dexterity needed to reach the Sailor just as Wind sprung forwards, arm extended, hand stretched, and fingers reaching. There was a look of anguish and despair contorting Wind’s youthful features. His eyes shone with genuinely raw emotion and intensity that it pierced Sky’s tender heart. 

He recognized that look. He’d seen it before. 

In a reflection once...

Wind had lost something. 

Something dear and precious to him. 

Something invaluable that he was willing to cast aside his thoughts, shed any sense of safety and preservation, risk his own life for this treasure he cherished and held close to his heart. 

For a split second, Sky sincerely believed Warrior would not reach the boy in time. His eyes widened, horror dawning on him, slowly stealing across his previously fierce and focused expression. 

He moved, although he knew he would never make it in time. His lips parted, his mouth moving on its accord, his mind and heart screaming, 

“Warrior, catch him!” 

Before he falls- 

Already, Wind was hovering in the air, past the cliff edge, grasping vainly at air and eyes shining. The Sailor didn’t appear to realize what was happening or what he’d done. All sense and reason had fled from him. 

Then gravity took its toll. 

Wind’s body was tugged downwards. 

He began to tumble to the depths of the Lake awaiting him far below. 

Sky’s world began to crumble. The unadulterated panic, unmitigated fear, and pooling dread swallowed him whole. 

Then, the impossible happened.  

Warrior leaped. 

He sailed across the distance separating him from the cliff and snatched at the falling youth. His fingers brushed along the fabric of his tunic and snatched at it with an unrelenting grip. Without determining whether or not his grasp was secure enough, Warrior yanked back mightily. 

Sky watched with unfathomable relief as Wind was violently jerked back into the safety of the Captain’s arms. Warrior wrapped them tightly around him, clutching the Sailor close to his chest. 

The Captain’s expression was unguarded- open for all to see. His eyes were dark and stormy, raging with a multitude of conflicting emotions, his chest heaving and monumental relief collapsing his shoulders. 

Wind fought desperately against his hold, legs kicking and hands struggling to free himself from the secure hold the older teen had on him. 

“My telescope!” Sky could hear Wind shakily whispering the closer he came to them. The Links finished off the rest of the wayward monsters around them. 

“Wind, stop struggling,” Warrior tried to soothe the distressed Sailor, speaking in low, calm, tones. Wind continued to unsuccessfully try and rip himself from him, but Warrior was stronger. 

“My telescope!” His voice shook, bordering on a sob. Sky’s heart shriveled up and died at the heartbreak he conveyed. “I-it fe-ell!” He collapsed against Warrior, allowing the Knight to draw him away from the cliff edge to safer grounds. There, Warrior tightened his hold and slowly rocked back and forth to comfort the distraught boy, “The m-monster kn-knocked it ou-ut and ki-kicked it!” 

Time came near, kneeling beside Warrior and placing a hand on Wind’s head, fingers threading through his disheveled hair. 

The other Links gathered round, offering their condolences with their presence alone. They knew how much the telescope meant to Wind. His little sister had given it to him for his birthday and Wind treasured it dearly. He took such good care of the gift. 

Wind curled up pitifully against Warrior, arms wrapped tightly around himself as he grieved over the loss of his telescope. 

Sky could take no more. If there was one thing he detested more in the world, it was watching others suffer and him being helpless to do anything! He turned to appraise the cliff thoughtfully, lips pursed in thought. 

If Wind’s telescope had clattered off into the Lake...

Sky’s head perked up. 

Then perhaps it was still retrievable! 

“Sky?” 

The Skyloftian was pulled from his thoughts by Twilight’s inquisitive voice and the Hero of the Skies turned to find the Ordonian curiously watching him.

“What do you think, Twi?” 

The words were out of his mouth before he’d even thought them, but he needed someone to reaffirm the possibility. 

Twilight quirked an eyebrow, “About what?” 

Sky could have smacked himself. Of course Twilight wouldn’t know what he was referring to! Unless he possessed the ability to read minds, but none of them did. 

At least...not that they knew of. 

“Come with me,” And with that, Sky promptly led Twilight to the cliff-side overlooking the grandeur that was Lake Hylia. Sky was not intimidated by the size, however. Having sailed the open ocean once before and seen for himself how voluminous it could be, Lake Hylia was nothing more than a small puddle in comparison, “Wind’s telescope. Do you think we could retrieve it?” 

Understanding dawned on Twilight and the Ordonian huffed out a small chuckle. 

There were none among them who were unaware of Sky’s compassionate and unselfish heart. 

Peering down the daunting stone face, Twilight estimated they were at most two hundred or so feet above the undulating waters. If Wind’s telescope had fallen into it...

“We might be able to,” Twilight answered after a long, contemplative, moment. He nodded curtly to himself, “It most likely sustained some damage from the impact of its fall, but I don’t think it’s completely broken.” 

Well, it was better than nothing. 

Sky would take it. 

“Alright,” Unhooking his pack and equipping his Water Dragon’s scale, Sky dropped his other belongings save for his bag of potions and fairies, then untied his sail cloth. 

A strong hand caught his arm, drawing Sky’s attention back to a stern Twilight, 

“You aren’t thinking about diving in there at this height, are you?” 

Sky gave Twilight a faintly amused, if pointed, look, “I’ve jumped from higher.” 

Twilight had to give him that. Sky had to have come from Skyloft to the Surface someway, somehow. 

“As have I,” Twilight inclined his head wryly, a grimace contorting his neutral features, “And it’s not an experience I’d like to repeat...” 

Sky could hear the ‘but’ in his tone and see it in his expression when the Ranch Hand turned back to look at Wind. Tears were rolling down his cheeks as the Sailor dragged a sleeve across his watering eyes. His breath hitched sharply, stuttering often as Warrior and the other Heroes attempted to console him. His small shoulders shook from the force of his sobs and Sky witnessed Twilight’s steely resolve wavering until it cracked and dissipated completely. 

With a sigh, Twilight looked back at Sky and the Hero knew he was more than willing to find Wind’s telescope and return it to him. 

“Let’s go.” 

Before the others could notice, Twilight had donned his Zora armor and Sky had discarded his sash and any extra weight that could prove to be a hassle later. 

It was Wild who happened to turn and see the two Heroes prepping for the jump. He frowned, starting towards them with a question, 

“What are you guys doing?” 

Time snapped his head up, the others following in suit. Wind stiffened, hope brewing in his expressive eyes when he took in the sight of Twilight with his extravagant Zora armor and Sky with his glittering scale. 

Twilight placed a hand on Sky’s shoulder, subtly shoving him forward in a pointed manner. Sky was quick to understand the not-so-discreet prompting, 

Hurry up and jump!

Time started to rise, about to call for them to stop whatever they were doing when Sky and Twilight simultaneously sprinted for the edge, the former cheerfully waving and calling-

“We’ll be back!” 

-before they leaped. 

They performed a graceful dive, straightening their bodies and bringing their arms past their heads and crossing their hands. 

Time reached the cliff edge the instant they disappeared into the depths of the Lake. His stern, brooding expression became thrice as intensive, developing into one of disapproval to fond exasperation at their kindness. 

Warrior did not look at all surprised, instead nodding and clasping his hands together with a crestfallen yet hopeful Wind beside him, 

“I take it we’re staying here for the night?” 

~~~~

Sky’s world exploded into red as he and Twilight dove serenely into the Lake. The light from the Blood Moon bled further into the water’s depths and Sky found himself greatly unnerved by the unnatural and foreboding affect of it all. 

It was far deeper than he’d first expected. Then again, everything in Wild’s Hyrule was far bigger and wider than any of the other worlds they had traveled through. 

Sky twisted agilely in the water to find Twilight beside him, half the Ordonian’s face covered, leaving only his eyes visible. Sky dismissed the concern visible in those cobalt blues with a wave of his hand and reassuring smile, letting Twilight know that he would be fine. 

Twilight wasn’t convinced, but he took Sky’s word for it. He gestured to the abysmal darkness below them, suggesting they set to work. 

Finding Wind’s telescope would certainly be a challenge given the limited amount of light and expansive space they had to cover. They could only hope it hadn’t fallen too far. 

As of this moment, Sky and Twilight were merely floating in place and when Sky gave a nod, they plunged further down. They swam closer to the cliff face, hoping Wind’s telescope might have landed somewhere near there, but the currents told the Heroes it was possible the gift had been carried further in and deposited elsewhere. 

Sky risked diving deeper, intent on finding the telescope. He would not be leaving until he did. He knew Twilight shared the same sentiment. 

Twilight drifted past him, kicking lightly and propelling himself forward. The Ordonian made sure not to swim far and would often glance back at Sky to make sure he wasn’t drowning or running out of air. 

The discreet glimpses were not lost on the Hero and the Skyloftian inwardly shook his head at Twilight. His fellow companion’s presence did, however, give Sky a heightened sense of safety and security. He knew if he were in some kind of danger, be it monsters or lack of air, Twilight wouldn’t hesitate to get him to safety or drag him up to the surface to breathe. 

Twilight was undoubtedly the most protective of the Links. He was ever watchful of them- especially the younger and smaller of the bunch. He had a keen sense of knowing if one of them wasn’t feeling too well or wasn’t at their best. He was the kind to worry about others but hid it behind a skillfully constructed mask Sky wished he would drop. 

It was a protective measure- a barrier of sorts Twilight hid behind. The compassionate Hero often wondered what had pushed his companion to craft one and throw it up. Something had to have influenced him...It was rare for the mask to fall away and reveal the real Twilight beneath, but Sky cherished those moments where he could recognize the loosening tension and relaxation and ease. 

Before the Hero could delve too deep into his thoughts and observations, he noticed Twilight nimbly twisting in the water a short distance ahead of him and pointing downwards. His movements were slow and gradual, the water greatly decreasing their mobility, but Sky understood from the look in Twi’s eyes that he’d spotted something. 

Following his line of sight, Sky squinted in a pointless attempt of piercing through the veil of darkness below to see what Twilight had sighted.

He raked his gaze across the shadowed ridges of the cliff-side once...twice...

And that he saw it. 

A tell-tale sparkle. 

Sky’s eyes brightened and a triumphant smile lit his face. They had found Wind’s telescope!

Unfortunately, Sky was running out of air and the Skyloftian knew he wouldn’t last long enough to swim down, snatch Wind’s telescope, and surface in time. 

Blue clashed with blue as Sky gestured to himself with a wave of his hand, communicating,  

Losing air

Twilight turned sharply towards him with concern. Sky shook his head with a calming grin and pointed upwards then down to the telescope meaningfully, 

Need to surface- grab telescope

Twilight hesitated for an indecisive moment, torn between helping Sky and fetching Wind’s instrument. His sharp eyes appraised Sky intently, ensuring that he would be alright before giving in with a reluctant nod. 

Already, Sky could feel his lungs beginning to plead for air as his supply slowly but surely depleted. He lingered long enough to watch Twilight dive down with ease then propelled himself upwards. The breath he’d been holding would last only a few more seconds before the need to breathe would become too pressing for him to ignore. 

Summoning the skill the Dragon’s Water Scale provided, Sky spun rapidly and projected himself up out of the water. He inhaled quickly, deeply, taking in as much air as possible while still in rotation, before gracefully plunging back down into the lake to check on Twilight’s progress. 

Thank the Goddess for this scale! 

Sky paused only a few feet below the lake’s surface, floating whilst he waited for Twilight to emerge from the abysmal depths and join him so they could return to the others. 

The Ordonian never showed. 

Sky’s brow creased with worry. 

Twilight should have already gotten Wind’s telescope. It wouldn’t have taken him long. 

Then why wasn’t he here? 

A sudden, intense, flickering light caught the Hero’s attention and Sky snapped his head in the direction it had come. 

The crackling light came again. 

Bluish-white streaks that were short-lived and fluctuated rapidly. 

Sky’s heart thumped in his chest, the Hero recognizing the static bursts of light for what they were. 

Electricity. 

Without thought or hesitation, Sky shot down towards the sparking lights, worry pushing him to go faster and glide further into the darkness. His eyes adjusted minutely, the light given off by the electricity allowing him to see the shadowy form of Twilight fending off what appeared to be this Hyrule’s version of Bari. 

Sky narrowed his eyes, a scowl fixating itself on his face as he quickly thought of a way to aid his friend. He kept swimming, driving himself to go faster and faster in order to reach Twilight as he was surrounded by three enormous Bari. 

Twilight remained outwardly calm and unaffected, drifting closer to the cliff face as the Bari closed in on him. Their tentacles sparked with another wave of electricity Sky knew would prove fatal if they were to touch the trapped Ordonian. He surveyed the Bari analytically, undoubtedly thinking up a way to kill them. 

Sky noted the electricity that enveloped their grotesque and gargantuan bodies lasted only a couple seconds with breaks in between. If he could get through their defenses, strike when the electricity was down and they were at their most vulnerable, he could help Twilight to escape. 

He called upon the scale, performing a spin attack just before one Bari could strike. He shot in between the enemies and Twilight, sending the Bari scattering in surprise. 

Blue-white light flashed brilliantly, blinding Sky momentarily. The Hero narrowed his eyes, baring his teeth and kicked fiercely. He forced another spin attack, his stamina depleting severely in doing so. The Bari propelled themselves back, warily and it was then Sky realized they had gargantuan eyes. 

He recoiled inwardly, disconcerted by this unsettling revelation. They were large and wide, boring into him. 

Twilight drifted alongside him, watching Sky worriedly when he saw the strain he was undergoing. Sky tread in place, valiantly striving not to think of his air expeditiously running out. Distress was making itself known as his lungs began to cry once again but he refused to leave without Twilight.

A tap on his shoulder made Sky glance to the right to the Ordonian beside him. When he looked, he saw Twilight cradling a live bombs in his hands. 

Sky stared, shocked to find the bomb was flashing despite being underwater. Then Twilight drew his arm back and threw the bomb with all his might. It propelled forward quickly enough, the water slowing its momentum drastically. It drifted close to the calculating Bari before detonating. The octopus-like creatures were thrown back by the blast and Sky felt something fasten on his arm and lug him upwards, away from their stunned enemies. 

Sky made a distressed sound, the pressing need to breathe becoming more than overbearing. He’d performed one two many spin attacks. 

Twilight effortlessly glided in the direction of the surface, hauling Sky with him. 

The seconds were ticking by, echoing ominously in their ears as Sky’s precious air gradually lessened. 

His lungs burned, his chest screaming. 

And then Sky saw it. 

A large, menacing, shape detaching itself from the rock face. All strain and distress was forgotten when Sky identified the Bari he and Twilight had obliviously swum past when they first dove into the lake. Twilight snapped his head towards it in stunned disbelief and Sky knew this hesitation would cost his friend dearly. 

The Bari lashed out- 

Sky’s mind went blank. He hardly realized he had yanked Twilight down with all his strength and moved to shield him. 

Excruciating, white-hot, agony exploded within Sky. Coursing through his veins and burning his very skin, the Skyloftian’s body was crippled by the harrowing pain that seeped deep into his bones. 

He didn’t know he was screaming until water rushed into his mouth, clogging his throat and choking him. All other sounds were drowned out by the roaring in his ears and the fire blazing across his skin. 

Hands were grabbing at him, taking fistfuls of his scorching tunic but Sky didn’t acknowledge them, too distracted by the intense burning sensations taking him captive. The lightning-level shocks surged throughout his body, his mind screeching for him to get away from the source of the electricity. He couldn’t move, however, frozen in agony. 

That was when he discovered he couldn’t breathe. 

His air supply was cut off. 

Panic intermingled with the immobilizing pain and Sky’s body contorted and convulsed violently. 

Black dots decorated his vision and Sky could have sworn he faintly felt something clutching him tightly and desperately hoisting his weight upwards. 

Consciousness started to slip from him and his eyes stung from unshed tears as Sky plead with the Goddess to steal him right then and there- to grant him mercy and spare him from this torment and state of wretchedness- 

-then he was drifting in darkness, floating listlessly, body limp and unburdened by any troubles. 

Serenity encompassed him, blanketing him and granting him warmth. A state of peace and comfort came over him and Sky dropped his head back in relief. He couldn’t recall anything that led up to this moment- only that he was grateful to finally be free of the agony and pain he’d once been captive too. 

Then an onslaught of sorrow and grief, regret and remorse, guilt and a heavy conscious struck him. His heart ached fiercely and loneliness chased away the tranquility that had been settling within his soul. 

A sizable chunk of his heart was chipped away, lost to the void it created and Sky found himself stuck in a state of misery and despair. 

Something was missing. 

Something had been taken from him. 

Fear struck his very core, growing and spreading until his stomach twisted and churned and his heart pounded frantically in his chest. 

This darkness was impenetrable. It no longer brought him comfort or freedom from pain. It scared him witless! It was endless- vast and bitter cold. 

He was beginning to slip into desolation and Sky was afraid he was moving past the point of no return. 

His light was fading and Sky wracked his mind for something- anything- he could do to save himself. Nothing came to mind. 

“Fi!” Sky cried, his voice shuddering and bordering on a crack. He curled into himself, arms wrapped tightly, protectively, around him. His fingers dug into his arms and he realized he could hardly feel them. 

His heart lurched painfully within, pulsing madly in his ears. 

His heart...

The beat was weak and arrhythmic, growing fainter and fainter with each passing second. 

Was he dying? Was this what it was like to die? 

Fingers digging into his scalp, clutching at his hair, Sky screwed his eyes shut and prayed like never before! Droplets of silver rain slipped down his cheeks and the Hero’s voice caught on a sob. 

He didn’t want to die! 

He couldn’t die! He still had so much to do, so many things yet to see, and a life to live! 

This couldn’t be how his tale ended! 

“Sky!” 

Sky’s breath caught and he froze momentarily, wavering between disbelief and hope. Had he heard a voice? Was there someone there? 

“Sky!” 

There it came again. So distant yet so strong. Sky jerked his head up when a brilliant green light shone from above, shining down on him and enveloping him with warmth and safety. 

“Don’t do this to me, Sky!” 

Sky’s chest tightened at the despairing grief and misery he could hear in that once quiet and reserved voice.

“Wake up!” 

But how? Sky so desperately wanted to know. 

“Come on! Breathe!” 

Breathe? But wasn’t he already breathing? 

A sudden weight pressed down on his chest and Sky wheezed. He snapped a hand up, fingers digging into the fabric of his tunic in confusion. 

“D-don’t die on me, Sky!” 

The voice Sky knew to be strong and unwavering shook and trembled, tone thick with emotion. 

“Twi...” Sky whispered, heart aching. The memories slammed into his mind at the same moment a crushing pressure forced his waterlogged throat to clear and he was violently ripped away from the darkness and thrown into the light. 

Sky’s eyes snapped open, body jerking as water spilled from his mouth and he coughed and hacked and retched. His hands scrabbled for purchase and strong arms lifted him just enough to turn him over, a welcome weight pounding his back to help him rid his lungs of the water congesting them. 

Sky weakly slumped against the ground once he was finished and his eyes slid shut in exhaustion. He was incredibly sore and so very tired. Completely drained of energy. He felt like a leaden weight, unable to move no matter how hard he tried. 

“Hey,” A sturdy, still shaken, voice broke through his lethargic mind and a hand purposefully tapped against his cheek, “Drink this,” 

“Twi...” Sky whispered weakly, cracking his eyes open to find a disheveled, drenched, and rattled Twilight hovering above him. Cobalt blues swam with a multitude of raging emotions, his carefully constructed mask cracked and broken, revealing the monumental relief bearing echoes of the heart-rending pain and grief he’d experienced. 

Sky could’ve sworn Twilight’s eyes were red but it could have been the light of the Blood Moon reflecting in them. 

A jar containing Red Potion was pressed to his lips and Sky took a couple of painful swallows, his throat suffering a couple of spasms when the liquid hit it. 

Twilight carefully lifted his head off the ground to grant him better leverage, and the potion soon served to soothe the aches and pangs, soreness, and aftershocks. 

Strength slowly began to return to him as the potion worked its magic. He felt a little revitalized and Sky shuddered when he thought about his close brush with death. 

After a few excruciating minutes, Sky had downed the red potion and was allowed some time to rest and regain his strength. 

Twilight never relinquished his hold. His hand remained on his shoulder, tightly grasping it in a way that told the Hero of the Skies the Ordonian was reassuring himself that Sky was there and, most importantly, alive. 

Twilight bent down afterwards and touched his forehead to Sky’s shoulder, quaking, 

“I’m sorry,” The hoarse whisper barely reached Sky’s ears, “I’m sorry,”

Compassion swelled within Sky and he forced his arm to move and curl comfortingly around those shaking shoulders, “I’m alright, Twi,” He murmured softly, his throat gritty, “I’m still here,” 

While he sought to comfort the Ordonian, Sky knew they were most likely empty reassurances. Links were difficult people to comfort and soothe afterall. 

“You weren’t breathing-!” Twilight’s voice was horribly muffled, but Sky heard him clearly, “I pulled you out- dragged you here- and you weren’t- you were-” His fingers dug into Sky’s tunic and the Skyloftian forced himself upright, drawing Twilight in close and trapping him in as tight a hug as he could muster in his weakened state. 

He cared little for the dull aches and pangs that protested against the movement. 

“I’m breathing now,” Sky calmly spoke. He couldn’t imagine what Twilight was going through- what he’d gone through- but he was a Link. They were infamous for many things. “I’m breathing, I’m speaking, and I’m living. I’m alive,” 

Sky exhaled deeply, giving his thanks that Twilight had brought him back before he could wander too far. 

For a long moment, neither of them moved until they could both collect themselves and Twilight pulled back to study Sky’s face intensely. Sky looked back, a small grin playing at his lips. 

Shoulders slumping and head hanging, Twilight raked a trembling hand through his soggy hair and gave a tremulous sigh of relief. 

He dropped his hand into his lap and turned to face Sky with a searching look, cobalt blues filled with worry, “You’re doing alright?” 

Sky chuckled faintly, clasping Twilight’s shoulder to give him the undeniable, physical, assurance he needed, 

“Sore and a bit drowsy, but other than that, I’m fine.” He answered truthfully. Twilight appeared content with the answer then his expression changed and became serious and earnest, 

“Sky, don’t ever do that again,” He urged, silently pleading for the other Hero to make him this promise and never break it, “Don’t ever risk your life for mine...You barely made it and if...” He looked away, unable to finish the sentence.  

Sky smiled wryly, 

“You know I can’t do that,” He told Twilight, causing the fur-pelt Hero to snap his gaze towards him, “Nor can you. Don’t expect me to make a promise when we both know you yourself can’t keep.” 

Twilight huffed but said nothing against him. 

“So,” Sky stretched, wincing a couple of times when a lance of pain shot through his back and shoulders, “I take it we’ll be waiting for the others to come and find us?” 

This earned him a stern look, “You aren’t moving for a day at least! You need time to recover and regain your strength. Red Potion or not, you aren’t at all capable of moving-” 

Sky dropped back with a laugh as he found himself on the receiving end of Twilight’s lecture. Truly, the Links thought him to be the mother hen of the group? If only they could see Twilight now... 

But, as Sky gazed up at the red hued sky, Twilight’s rumbling voice in the background, he smiled and crossed his arms beneath his head, finding himself fortunate to have such loyal and extraordinary companions to call family. 

~~~~

Gravel and rocks crunched beneath the booted feet of the seven Heroes that meandered their way through a small grove of trees leading to the shoreline of the small island. 

Quiet whispers filled the air as the search for two missing Links continued on. The night of the Blood Moon had ended, the sun peeking over the horizon but there was still no sign of either of them. 

It wasn’t long until they came across the slumbering Sky and Twilight. Sky was lying on his back, his sailcloth precariously tucked around him and drawn up past his shoulders. 

His chest rattled faintly, breathing a little ragged but his expression was smoothed over in sleep. Twilight was close to him, exhaustion etched deep into his features and crescent rings under his eyes. He was curled up on his side a little above Sky, a hand outstretched and fingers lightly touching the younger Hero’s shoulder to regulate his breathing. He was positioned much like Wolfie was when the beast curled protectively around Wild or a Hero suffering through a difficult night. 

The eldest of the Heroes stealthily made his way to Twilight’s side where he knelt in the dewy grass and reached out to grasp his shoulder to give it a shake. 

“Twi?” A deep, rumbling voice called softly. 

Twilight’s ears twitched and his features contorted at the sound of Time’s voice. Before long, the Ordonian sleepily rolled his head back while owlishly blinking his eyes open. 

“Time..?” He mumbled tiredly, gaze drifting to Sky then back to his ancestor.

Someone whistled lowly in the background, as though genuinely impressed. It was clear Sky and Twilight had undergone some kind of excitement and were recovering from whatever it was. 

“What happened to you two?” Time inquired in low tones, surveying Sky and the pale pallor of his skin, the empty bottle of red potion and fairies, then the fatigued Twilight. 

Twilight managed a drowsy smile, weary eyes crinkling in a similar fashion as Time’s before he raised a hand to present the object of his and Sky’s search, 

“We found Wind’s telescope,” 

Then he promptly fell back to sleep. 

[blinded-and-bloody]

Sold

Fandom : NA

Characters : Team Dynamic : Medic, Team Leader, Whumpee, Unmentioned Teammates

Whump : I’m Too Lazy For This

[ thanks to @theleastmemorablequeer for proof reading this ]

The team sat separately amongst the crowd. They were too recognizable as a group, but perhaps apart no one would even notice they were there, and ‘there,’ of course, being a human trafficking auction. A small, dark, human trafficking auction, the thought of which made most of the team feel sick. They wouldn’t be there at all if it weren’t for Whumpee.

One moment he had been communicating like normal on his mission and then... nothing. Like he dropped off the face of the Earth. Finding him, tracking him down to this shitty little place, had taken weeks, and if they fucked up now they would likely lose him forever.

Their teammate was not the first brought on to the small stage up front. That meant they had to wait. They had to watch each bound, terrified person get pulled onto stage, and get bid on until they were bought. As much as they wanted to “buy” everyone who came up onto that stage, they didn’t have the funds. They had no option but to let this happen.

Their medic, sitting fairly close to the front couldn’t help but take note of every injury they saw on each prisoner. Some weren’t so bad.

Clearly not the fighters, they note quietly to themself when they see the ones with minimal bruising and dried blood. This does little to reassure them, only spiking their anxiety. Whumpee was nothing if not a fighter, as documented by his many, many hours in Med Bay week after week.

Whumpee was one of the last people on the stage, slowly dragged on. Despite clearly being drugged out, entire body blooded and bruised, he still tried to struggle, pulling away from his captors as he was pulled to the front. He blinked in the spotlight on him, and in this state Medic knew he wouldn’t be able to spot his friends among the dark crowd.

“Can we start bid at one hundred dollars?”

Cheap, the group can’t help but notice. The people who took him must think he isn’t worth much, and honestly, with the resistance he’s known for when he’s doing things he likes, it’s not that surprising. Also, it’s a plus. They’re not exactly millionaires.

And so, they bid. Carefully, they outbid the others taking a stab at their friend. First the Medic, then the Team Leader. It goes around and through the group in a pattern they chose earlier until there’s only one other person bidding against them.

This person only leaves them alone after -

“A hundred-thousand dollars,” calls the auctioneer. The team finally starts to breathe, he’s almost back with them. “Going once, going twi-”

A hand in the back goes up, before the person the hand belongs to gets up and says, “I raise the bid to one million dollars.”

Each member of the team takes a tense glance over at the Team Leader. They didn’t know what they were supposed to do if someone outbid them by that much.

There isn’t anything we can do.

Outbid by that much, they didn’t have any options.

“One million dollars, going once, going twice... sold.”

The team sits, equal parts scared and pissed off, as they watch their friend’s new owner step up to the stage to collect him. It’s only once the man is up there that they recognize him as the Villain.

Shit.

Smiling a bit, Villain looked out over the crowd. He had to know who he had just taken, there was no way he didn’t.

The team watched as their friend was led away.

[jadeender]

The Fortress of Darkness and Light Part 1

The next morning the heroes awoke and prepared for the final battle, Legend assured them they could reach Veran’s fortress before the day was over and they revealed in the idea that in only a matter of hours they would be free. Free from the influence of the darks and finally back to their own selves. 

With all their weapons and armor at the ready, magical tools on hand the ten of them set out from Legend’s house. The purple rabbit man, Ravio, had insisted on following them, claiming to worry about Legend’s safety. 

Sighing Sky walked alongside his friends, he should have felt happy to almost be rid of Stygian, but he didn’t. If he was honest he hadn’t felt much at all recently. Stygian kept quiet most of the time which was almost worse than talking constantly. 

The day passed in a haze, everyone was on edge legend and Ravio led the group reassuring every once and awhile they were getting close. Despite being “good friends” Sky never really saw Ravio and Legend act like it. Both of them kept their attention on other things and rarely spoke to each other while they were traveling. 

Sky just wanted it all to be done, he wanted to rest. It had been so long since he’d had a refreshing deep sleep, since he dreamed instead of having cryptid nightmares that only filled him anxiety and stress.

Just after their noon time lunch break Legend turned to address them, his skin had become more ashen recently and the green highlights in his hair more pronounced. 

“In just about ten minutes of walking Veran’s fortress should be in sight. Once we get in we just have to make it to the top and take her out. The usual stuff. I don’t know what kind of traps she’ll have set up so be ready for anything.” With the Legend turned around and lead them on.

Surely enough very soon the fortress appeared in their vision, it appeared like a twisted imitation of Hyrule castle. Colored all dark great a shadow was cast over the land, as they continued on the draw bridge opened and Veran’s voice drifted out over the wind,

“Heroes of light, creatures of dark, and those in between. You seek to be free yet first you must pass through my fortress, trials of dark and trials of light await you. Only if you embrace both will you succeed.” 

As Veran’s voice faded so did the light around them and the heroes slipped into unconsciousness. 

____________________________________________________________________________

When Sky awoke again it was like his head was full of dense clouds that made his thoughts fuzzy and slow. Looking around he saw only Legend, Four, Wild, and Twilight. The others were gone. A quick survey showed they were in a small room with a corridor leading outward. 

“She split us up.” Legend observed looking at his friends before registering, “Wait where’s Ravio?”

“He’s probably with the others.” Twi comforted as Sky moved to sitting still trying to clear his head, all their words felt muffled and distant. 

“That means he’s alone with Eternal, and Conqueror, and Callous.” Legend’s breath speed up slightly, looking on the edge of panic. “We need to find them.”

Four grabbed Legend’s hand and signed something Sky couldn’t see. As Twilight continued, “No, that means he’s there with Time, and Warriors and Hyrule. They wouldn’t let the darks hurt him.”

Legend mumbled something Sky couldn’t hear, his ears finally beginning to clear he heard Wild speak up. “We need to get moving, I’m sure we’ll meet up with others if we just go through. 

The others nodded and gathered their things. Sky stood noticing his second sword had slipped out of its scabbard, the sword he loathed to use but found himself carrying most often. Fi still wouldn't respond, not so much as a word or even a feeling in months, it was almost easier to use the demon sword rather than have to deal with that silence.

Sighing lightly he put his swords back in their scabbard as the ghostly image of his old enemy appeared by him, not that the others could see.

"Finally we made it to the stupid palace, I can't wait to be free of this stupid light." Griahim complained as he often did. 

Sky just ignored the sword spirit as he started to follow the others. Ghirahim continued to complain as they went, complaining that he hadn't taken care of the blade or complaining about the temple and it's garish design.

As they ended the hall it opened into a wide room with black and white tiles if the floor, as Wild who was in the lead stepped in the first tile it made a sound like a note played on the piano. 

“What the…?” Wild started.

Veran’s melodious voice floated over them once again “Each of you must play along to the song of the tiles, for if you dont death will befall on these trials.”

The five looked at each other, before Sky spoke up. “I think we need to play music, as we walk across.”

From his bag Sky drew his Zelda’s harp, the small golden harp reminded him of her. A heavy weight settled in his heart as somewhere in the pits of their soul he felt Stygain’s repulse for her. Sky still loved her, more than he had ever loved anyone before, but using her harp felt wrong in his hands.

Trying to push that feeling of disgust away he strummed the harp lightly its golden tones still melodious as they always had been. Four and Legend turned to their bags and dug through them, Four producing a simple ocarina and Legend producing a harp, quite different from Zelda’s. Legend’s harp was pink and blue in a circle, with golden features. As he strummed it the others could feel the power that came from it, this was not just an instrument.

Wild and Twilight just kind of stood there awkwardly and Four turned to them signing “You music play?”

“Well um I do have one thing I could try, I’m not very good with it.” With a few taps of the Sheikah slate wild pulled out an accordion. He squeezed the instrument a few times tapping the keys on the side in a familiar melody though Sky couldn’t recall its name. Legend nodded and they turned back to Twilight who shifted nervously.

“Do you not play any instrument?” Legend questioned. “I've got a spare few in my bag….”

“I um, I usually howl.” Twilight muttered. The others attention snapped back to him. 

“You what?” Legend laughed.

“I howl, I can whistle too but not without a piece of grass.” Twi said his face becoming more assured. 

“It’ll be fine Twilight.” Wild said looking at the others, he shifted his accordion and turned back around to face the room.

Sky watched as Twilight shifted into his wolf form and let out a howl, deep and full. The others played their instruments along with it, the sounds of their odd five piece band mingling together.

Sky strummed the harp as they made their way through the room, each new tile would make a note and they would respond by playing the same or accompanying ones, as they hurried over the floor it grew into a song of sorts each note helping to create the symphony. As Sky played the feeling of the harp in his hands made him warm, glad that he had this piece of her with him.

As they reached the final tile of them room it sounded with a deep tone like that of a church bell striking, though they tried to recreate it only Twilight’s howls came anywhere close to it. Though he should have felt panicked Sky didn’t, he felt calm, calmer than he had in awhile but Zelda’s harp always had that effect on him. Instead Sky just briskly walked forward off the tile into the safety of the hallway as the tile began to crack and shake. The others quickly followed running and in some cases jumping off to make it into the hallway. 

After putting away their instruments the other turned to Sky.

“How did you know that would work?” Twilight questioned. “There could have been some other trap or trick.” 

Sky simply shrugged, “It was the last tile, it was the simplest path.”

After a few more odd glances the others continued on ward as they started through the maze of Veran’s castle, they honestly did more getting lost than they did solving puzzles or setting off traps.

But as they continued Sky kept thinking about that puzzle, about the song they played, once he put it together it seemed familiar, like something Zelda would have played for him when they were younger. An image of her playing the harp, her hands moving lightly over is strings, golden hair gleaming in the sun appeared in his mind conjuring up a small smile on his face.

Could have this witch designed the puzzle, for him? To remind him of his Zelda? Sky’s thoughts wondered at the possibility, but why would she have done that? As he followed that line of reasoning Sky thoughts turned, she was using Zelda’s song to mock him. To use something he loved against him.

The dark part of his mind, the voice and emotions he’d come to associate with Stygian spoke. “You let your pathetic obsession with her make you a fool, even before this witch stepped in.”

“Its not an obsession, I love her.” He defended yet the voice rose again.

“And that makes you all the weaker, thinking yourself worthy of a goddess.” 

Sky’s heart fell as he considered the words, was he really worthy of her and her affection? He spent his entire life learning how to fight to protect her, to be a knight for their home. But for what? For a woman that would never be able to be with him even though they had been reincarnated so many times together. 

The harp now hidden in his pack seemed to grow heavy at his thoughts and he felt a growing repulsion to the instrument. All of that, just to solve a stupid puzzle?