I was thinking of the Song of Storms and was using my headcanon that the Links can manipulate the weather a little naturally. So I thought 'what if they have times they feel like it needs to be changed' and this was the result.
Storm - Ocarina of Time Link
Sage - A Link to the Past Link
Hope - The Legend of Zelda Link
A soft thrum of energy, something almost electric, pulsed under his skin. Storm sighed softly, his head tilting back towards the sky as the throbbing grew stronger.
"It feels too calm."
Storm glanced to his right at Sage. Sage was scowling at the open grass before them, behind them Hope was trying to convince a small fairy to come out of hiding.
Somewhere across that grass and under the trees the rest of their group were waiting for them to join them. Sage sighed and turned to talk to Hope, trying to convince him to stop bothering the fairy.
"I don't know why she won't come but the fairy says that the energy is wrong to leave her hiding place." Hope told Sage, words that Storm had heard.
So it was not just him, the fairies and other Heroes seemed to feel like something needed to shift too.
A wild grin spread across Storm's face while he thought. Normally he tried not to disturb the weather too much, but with the other heroes and the way they seemed to want things to change the same way he did.
Pulling out the blue ocarina that had been tucked neatly in his pouch Storm lifted it to his lips. Quick rising notes drifted through the air, once, twice, three times.
Above the sky grew dark, a low rumble and a loud crash followed. Brilliant lightning lit the sky in white and blue. Then the first drops fell, one then two and finally a deluge.
A dark curtain of rain fell, the air cooled and the fairy cautiously fluttered over to Storm's shoulder.
"That... feels better." Sage murmured quietly.
"Yeah." Hope agreed, shifting his pack to his shoulders.
"Let's go, we can join the others now."
The three of them stepped out into the rain. As the first drops hit his skin Storm relaxed, that wild electric energy eased away.
It was nice to be able to call up a storm when he felt it. Really that was one of the best parts of traveling with the other Links. They also felt that itch and need to change the weather like this.
Follow up to this fic from my Links Meet AU. Written for @theoneeyedgoldenwolf
It was warm, so warm, and he was surrounded by softness. Storm simply drifted for a short time like that, savoring the gentleness and warmth before he had to do anything else. Perhaps he would have drifted longer, stayed in that relaxed, blissful, half asleep daze for longer but someone speaking woke him.
“So it’s really true, huh? Storm is the Hero of Time.”
Ice water could not have woken him quicker than those words. He kept still and mostly relaxed as his senses came to full alertness. A sigh caught his attention before he could begin to spiral down into his own mind.
“I wish I’d figured that out before now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not long after Sage told us about the hero before him and Time about the one before him… Storm asked us about it. He… he must have hoped that we’d want to know the truth of what happened.”
“Legend… you aren’t the only one who missed it.”
“I know, but maybe we could have spared him some of the hurt he has been feeling if we’d caught it earlier.”
Storm wondered at that, and was even more confused by the murmurs of agreement from the others. Weren’t they upset he hadn’t told them?
“I picked my nickname because of him, you know?” Time said, Storm could hear the bright smile he had on his face. It was comforting in some way to hear this, soothing enough he felt himself melting against the soft furs again while he listened. “He was my inspiration after I found Aryll, someone who did everything he could to help others. It is a tradition in my home for boys at twelve to get a green tunic in honor of him… I like my nickname even more now, Storm is one of the best people to have as a guide.”
“What’s with the grin Legend, weren’t you just upset?”
“I was, and still am honestly… Still he’s my descendant. Goddess and I both were worried that she might not be able to have children, but there he is. Storm is my descendant.”
“... I owe him an apology when he gets up.” Sage’s voice was soft and sad, Storm could picture Hope sitting next to him and the two of them just leaning against each other. “My words to describe… I was harsh. I just… I was so angry that the hero… well it doesn’t matter. I hurt my brother with my words. I don’t know if he’ll even listen to me now.”
“He’ll listen… I just wonder if that truth serum is still active in some way or not.”
Storm felt the line of warmth along his side shift and realized that Dysmas was likely lying there in wolf form. He wondered if his future student would give away that he was awake and had been listening or not. When the warmth moved away he couldn’t help the soft whine he gave as he turned onto his side to chase after it. A gentle nudge to lie on his back again came and he did so, feeling oddly fragile, as though the slightest wrong word or move would make him shatter.
Someone lie next to him on the opposite side from where Dysmas had been, an arm draping across him as the person settled. Then before he could curl into whoever it was the warmth on his other side returned, this time another arm draped over him instead of soft fur pressing against his arm. The extra warmth that settled against his sides, on both sides, soothed that fragile feeling a bit and helped him slip back into that soft drifting warmth then the soothing dark of sleep.
The next time he woke, Storm still felt like he was drifting but not as hazily as before. Instead a hand gently running through his hair seemed to help anchor him with his present. His eyes opened slowly as he looked around, the hand kept going and he blinked up to see Prism sitting there reading a book of some sort. He didn’t feel as warm which meant that Dysmas and whoever else had settled next to him last time were both gone elsewhere now.
“Prism?” His voice was oddly weak as he croaked that out.
“Storm! We were starting to worry, you’ve slept for over a day now.”
That explained why he felt so heavy and sluggish.
“Whoever that was that grabbed you had you for half a day before we were able to track you. Dysmas was the one to catch your trail while he and Legend had been out searching. After you went to sleep they told us about that thing and what it said… I’m sure the answer is no but…. Are you okay?”
“Where are the others?” Storm asked, starting to try to sit up. Prism sighed and closed his book before moving closer and helping Storm sit up. Storm leaned against him for a moment, wondering how long he had to enjoy this before it fell apart.
“Fauna and Hope found a stream close by, they all went to clean everything and gather what they could. I think they’ll be back soon. Are you thirsty?”
Was he? “Yes.”
Storm knew he had ignored Prism’s question of how he was doing, and a large part of that was he didn’t quite know. He still felt fragile, but not as much as he had previously. As Prism brought over a cup, one of Fauna’s mugs that had been left near the fire to stay warm, Storm wondered what he had missed while he had been sleeping. He took the mug with a grateful smile and sighed softly when he tasted the sweetened tea that Fauna left behind for him, his favorite tea and sweetened to the point a fairy would love it too. He could just about hear the delighted chiming and feel the soft flutter of wings against his cheek.
“You knew my secret… back before I told everyone about the Sword of Four Elements, you knew, but I never-”
“I didn’t want it known. Time was the only one who knew the story of what I did do, the story of my success, but I didn’t want any of you to know that it was me.” Storm said softly.
His shoulders slumped, as he lowered the mug, looking into it. He shuddered a little, nearly sobbing as he realized what had been said and what the others now knew. An arm settled across his shoulders as gentle hands took the mug from him. Storm didn’t resist as he was pulled against someone’s chest, his head tucked against their shoulder while something warm was wrapped around him. It took a long moment to recognize that it was Legend’s Sailcloth and that the person holding him tightly was Legend. Horus was sitting next to them and rubbing his back while murmuring an old song Storm could remember him singing during the war.
Storm lost track of time as he was comforted by Horus and Legend. At length he calmed enough to turn his head and simply sit with his cheek resting on Legend’s shoulder.
“Feeling better?”
Storm nodded and hummed softly as Horus rubbed his neck.
“Good, we were worried about you. It isn’t every day we get to see you going to pieces like that.”
“Also we need to apologize.”
“You don’t.”
“We do.” Hope insisted, his voice cutting in before Legend of Horus lost the argument to Storm.
“We… I need to apologize to you, Storm.” Sage stated, he crept closer to them then hesitated just in arms reach of Storm. Storm looked at him in confusion but didn’t move away from Legend who tightened his arms around him a bit. “I was angry at what I thought was a failure and I spoke thoughtlessly. I should have remembered that it was hard to fight against him.”
“You don’t need-”
“Storm, please, just let us apologize. We know you don’t blame us, but it still feels like we let you down.”
Storm was quiet for a moment then he sighed and reached out. Pulling Sage close he kissed the top of his head. “I forgive you. I forgive all of you.”
“Good, now that we have that settled… Fauna almost has dinner ready and you need to eat. After… how about we share some funny stories from when we were traveling together last time?”
Storm looked at Horus surprised then he smiled a bit and nodded.
“Sounds good, but only if everyone else shares a funny story too… maybe not tonight but soon?”
“Oh! I have one.” Fauna cheered happily, his grin seemed to get to them all and Storm took the plate he was offered, shifting to sit next to Legend who was still grinning widely and refusing to let him move away. “See it started with this bear-”
“Oh no, not another bear story.” Dysmas groaned, his voice expressing dismay but his face showing only fond affection.
“Yes! Another bear story.” Time cheered causing Storm to laugh a bit.
He gestured for Fauna to continue his story while he ate. Perhaps… just maybe… he had been wrong. Maybe they wouldn’t abandon him knowing the truth… and maybe that was okay. He glanced around at the others, seeing their grins and hearing their voices as they teased Fauna, catching the occasional look his way as though they needed to reassure themselves he was still there. Storm smiled at that and decided that maybe this time Majora lost after all.
Just a small thing for my au. Not really too important yet but it will probably get worked into the story at a later time.
"Hey, Storm, you have a hero title too, right?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes. I have a title too, same as the rest of you I suppose."
"Any chance we can get you to tell it to us?"
"Oh no, I am not nearly brave enough to tell you that." Storm laughed as he held up his hands in surrender.
He knew that he wasn't that brave, not enough to tell them the truth with his own mouth and words. Oh he knew how several of the group saw him... or rather how they saw the 'Legendary Hero of Time'. None of it was good, not really. Some spoke of him with awe and wonder, Time was one of those, while others used his titled name with derision and contempt, Sage was the main one here but it was easy to see how the others began to question and wonder.
Still Storm couldn't stand the thought of changing things. They would change too, once the others knew who he was. That was obvious even without foresight showing him the looks he knew would be sent his way, the carefully hidden hatred and the doubt that followed whenever he gave a suggestion.
Dysmas seemed like he wanted to press for more details but Fauna and Horus seemed to catch onto him wanting to change the topic and started acting up to get Dysmas' attention away from him. Legend was watching him carefully, as was Prism, and Storm gave them both a cheery smile.
He knew it would all come out. It always did, secrets like that... like Dysmas' transformation and the way Horus knew the basics of each timeline... they always came out eventually. It left his throat feeling tight as Storm looked at the others around their campfire and he wished fervently that this particular secret stayed as a secret for a bit longer... he wanted a few more memories of this before he lost it.
... maybe he should just give them his Terminan Hero title. No, that would just give him away faster. Better to let things play out how they would and try to salvage whatever was left than to give that away and lose it all sooner.
Follow up where the boys find out Storm is the Hero of Time. Featuring Majora with their tentacle arms and truth serum because reasons. (Reasons being the Hero of Time does not like sharing things like this without being super close to someone or having no choice.)
"At last I have you, the darling Hero of Time." His captor practically purred.
Storm tensed as something smooth and warm ran over his cheek just below where the blindfold was. He twitched, trying to get away but the cushion below him prevented that much like the straps kept him pinned down without his Golden Gauntlets on. The cloth gag stuffed into his mouth only increased his feeling of helplessness, a feeling only increased as his ears caught a sharp inhale.
One of the others was there. Someone had heard his closest guarded secret and why he never talked about his first adventure beyond some vague comments about things they all experienced. If his eyes had been open and able to look around Storm would have done so, wanting to know who it was that learned that particular secret. As it was he felt tears of frustration build.
A sharp sting came as the tentacle or whatever it was got slapped against his cheek. His captor growled, the voice finally pitched the right way for him to recognize the one speaking. Storm tensed, his breath catching as he recognized Majora's voice. Cruel laughter followed that realization, no doubt caused by him tensing.
"Ah, you remember me, I am honored."
The cursed deity laughed and Storm wanted to cry. He was trapped, stuck with this insane being... and one of the others finally learned his best kept secret. He knew that they would leave, simply go and abandon him to his fate. It was nothing he didn't deserve really.
Pain snapped him from his thoughts, jolting him from the well of misery he'd been sinking into as he understood his situation.
"You have no idea how long I have waited for this!" Majora snapped, voice dark and giving away just how obsessed with vengeance they had become.
Storm gave a muffled cry as Majora brought their tentacled arms down on his body again and again, leaving welts and starting to break the skin. As Majora's strikes finally drew blood they slowed and started giggling.
"There we are, now I can watch you bleed and not even your precious Kishin will be able to stop me."
Storm gave a muffled sob as Majora ran the tentacle over the welt, digging into the wounded spot and starting to rip it further open. He felt something sticky press into the wound and gave a muffled cry of pain, his body going limp against his will. Footsteps, someone coming closer but being careful to avoid notice, and then a shrill cry from Majora.
The pain vanished and Storm lie there, his body alarmingly limp while hands quickly pressed against his throat, fingers clumsily feeling for a pulse. He could tell the second they found it because whoever it was slumped against his chest, accidentally pressing against one of the welts that had nearly broken the skin.
"We're getting out of here, Storm, and then we're going to talk."
Storm didn't want to talk, he wanted to go back to before they... before Legend at least, found out what Majora revealed. Still he was powerless as the straps were removed, then the gag was next and finally the blindfold. His eyes were partly open, allowing him to see his surroundings even as he was unable to move or to do anything, no doubt a side effect of whatever Majora used.
As he was pulled into a sitting position Storm caught a glimpse of something clear smeared over the sluggishly bleeding gash. That must be whatever Majora gave him. Speaking of Majora out of the corner of his eye Storm saw the Deity grin madly before slipping away. His heart sunk as he realized they were playing into Majora's hands.
Warm hands carefully lifted him from the cot he'd been strapped to and Storm's vision was filled with Dysmas' hair and shoulder before gentle hands helped shift him so he could look around. The action was oddly comforting, and when something soft and warm was wrapped around his shoulders he felt as though he should actually relax... or cry, but he did neither one.
It wasn't until they reached where the others had set up camp that Storm felt any control of his own limbs return and even then it was sluggish and distant. He was gently laid down on Dysmas' bedroll, something he could tell just by how soft it felt below him since the furs were always kept clean by the rancher.
"Is he okay?" Sage asked, his voice tight with concern.
Hope was just visible without Storm having to move and the worry on his face was doubtlessly mirrored on Sage's face. A smaller cool hand curled around his which told him that Time was settled there by his side. A sweet scent told him that Fauna was making something from the menu that he and Hope favored.
"Not sure, something was smeared over the wound there."
"Something..." Hope leaned forwards and touched the now tacky substance. He studied it for a moment and gave it a careful sniff. His eyes widened as he seemed to recognize it. "It's a basically a truth serum, I think it must be reacting to one of his other race types which is why he isn't able to move well."
That told him that Hope at least noticed that he was able to move but it was difficult. He didn't even want to try speaking with everything so sluggish and difficult.
"Storm, you can hear us, right?"
A moment then he sighed and nodded. It took more effort than he wanted to expend but he did it.
"Dysmas and I heard that... whatever it was calling him by a hero title." Legend said, his voice cautious.
"Is that title yours?" Dysmas asked.
His mind screamed not to answer, he wanted desperately to keep that to himself. Without his permission though his mouth opened and words tumbled out.
"Yes, I'm the Hero of Time." They were slightly hazy and a bit slurred because of the last of the numbing effects from the substance but they were still clear.
"You're lying." Sage said promptly, shaking his head.
"He can't lie right now." Hope replied, his voice anguished.
Storm closed his eyes, helpless anger welled up. It wasn't directed at anyone present except himself. He was so angry with himself and with Majora for this.
"Sage, get back here!" Horus called out suddenly.
Storm kept his eyes shut, doing his best to give into sleep but he could feel the drug still working and knew that there had to be a question limit before he would be given that mercy.
"Why?" Hope asked softly. He seemed to realize that his question didn't really give enough information to answer. "Why not tell us?"
"Everyone hates the Hero of Time. He failed all three timelines, dying and forcing Sage and you to have to fight, vanishing entirely from Time's... and then the failure that Dysmas had to clean up after. That hate is entirely deserved and... I wanted to keep you all as friends, as brothers, for a little longer before you hated me."
“You!” Sage grabbed the front of his tattered and torn shirt to yank him into a sitting position. Storm opened his eyes and watched the younger hero dully, feeling how Time tightened his grip on his hand. “You don’t get to make that decision!”
“Don’t I? You always speak about the hero before you with such hatred, why not apply it to the person I know should receive it?”
“Not like this, please Storm. We… I admit we all were angry with that hero.”
“You hated him, hated me, and I have made peace with it. I just wanted to have the memories of things being better for when it fell apart like this.”
A hand gently cupped his cheek and Storm was pulled into a tight hug. Over the shoulder his chin rested on he could see Prism and the guilt written plainly on his face which seemed odd because Prism never did or said anything cruel about him or about the cursed hero that broke the timeline.
“I’m sorry that we made you feel that you couldn’t just tell us.” Legend murmured, and Storm felt confused.
More than that… he felt tears burning in his eyes as he felt another pair of arms settle around him.
“We don’t hate you, little Song.” Horus murmured, his voice gentle as he used that old, so very old, nickname for him. Storm shook a little and closed his eyes tightly, unwilling to let them see him breaking down more here, maybe once he was no longer being affected by the truth serum he could deal with this.
“Storm, you are our brother. You yourself said it, we are brothers, and this… I hate it but I want to know your reasons more. I want you to feel comfortable telling us about your adventure, about why you do certain things but not like this.”
Storm sighed and felt the tension he hadn’t realized crept into his shoulders ease away. His back pressed lightly against Horus’ chest while Legend kept holding onto him so he knew that at least three of them were there for him.
“You seem tired.”
“I don’t think I’ll sleep until the serum wears off.”
“Is it random question time?” Time asked, his voice gently but bright and he shuffled closer and pressed against Storm’s free side, dragging his arm around his shoulders.
“Sure… why not?”
“Did you really fight the moon?”
“Yes? It was falling and I had to call local deities for help but that did happen.”
“Wow, you have lived an interesting life. It’s almost as interesting as Zelda’s life.”
“I blame being related to her for it.”
Storm had not meant to say that. He caught the way Legend and Horus both tensed against him.
“Wait, you are related to Lullaby?”
“She is my cousin.” Storm nodded, he felt the way Legend shook a bit and blinked his eyes open, seeing the excited wonder on Prism’s face.
“Does that mean you can make Light Arrows?”
“Yes. Also I can use Light magic in general. It’s handy when I can’t use a fire… unless magic blockers are there. Those are awful and leave a horrible headache behind. That’s probably because of the visions though.”
“Oh thank goodness. I was afraid I was the only one who had visions.”
“You aren’t. Mine aren’t as detailed but I get them sometimes too.” Dysmas said and Storm felt himself relaxing a bit more, starting to drift off.
“One last question?” Fauna asked cautiously.
“Hmm?” Storm managed to look at him.
“Why do you like sweet stuff so much? I know you love spicy foods.”
“I grew up among forest children and fairies. We all had a lot of fruits and sugary stuff as part of our diets because we shared with the fairies and they need it for their magic and energy in general.” Storm answered, his voice slurring again but this time it was with exhaustion.
“Sleep, we’ll talk more tomorrow if this has worn off.”
“If we must…”
“Storm?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m sorry I made you feel like we would hate you for that. You are our brother and we love you. Please… if something like this happens again, please talk to us.”
“I’ll try.”
“Thank you.” Sage said as Horus moved away from behind Storm.
Legend carefully guided him to laying down again and Time curled more firmly against his side, still clinging to his hand and arm. As Storm drifted off he felt a faint presence in the back of his mind and sent a small surge of gratitude towards it. Maybe he had been wrong about the boys hating him… and honestly he was glad he had been because he could not imagine his life without them now.
Time - Wind Waker Link
Fauna - Breath of the Wild Link
Dysmas - Twilight Princess Link
Horus - Hyrule Warriors Link
Storm - Ocarina of Time Link
Time crouched down, huddled under the shelter that Fauna set up. All he knew was that it was cold, so cold, and he never ventured out into such cold before. It made it easier to understand why Prism sometimes complained about the cold and why Sage encouraged them to have a spare and warmer coat. Once Fauna finished arranging the cloth where it wouldn’t get blown into the fire he pulled out his slate and started to swipe through things to find something specific.
A flicker of bright blue light appeared and then Time felt something warm settle over his shoulders. Looking up at his companion he saw Fauna grinning a bit.
“I figured you could use that. It’s a snowquill set from my era. It’s made by the Rito for visitors.”
“Whenever we get there, I want one.”
Fauna laughed as he sat next to Time. Time sighed happily as he snuggled into his brother’s side while looking outside their shelter.
“Think Dysmas will find us?”
“I think he will. He and Horus are used to difficult rescues.”
Time was grateful that Fauna said nothing about the cliff giving away sending them down to where they were or the fact that it was getting darker and colder. A sniffing sound came from somewhere in front of them and Fauna tensed before giving a soft whistle. There was nothing for a moment then a pair of glowing eyes appeared. Fauna cursed and Time quickly got up, his sword already in his hand, the hourglass glowing slightly from whatever Storm had done to it.
More eyes joined the first pair and Time stepped back once, anxious at the thought of so many enemies being around them. Fauna swore under his breath as he got out a bow and aimed a fire arrow at the cluster of eyes. Before he could get off a shot one of the sets moved closer and Time could just barely make out the form of a wild wolf before something shining and golden slammed into it sending it aside. The other eyes turned and then vanished. There was snarls and the sound of something fighting something else, Time hoped that the golden form won because it had saved them.
Before he got too worried about it Dysmas and Horus appeared. Horus was bundled into his cloak, only recognizable from the blue scarf wrapped around his neck that looked as sad and cold as Time felt, while Dysmas was in his wolf form, the thick fur providing better protection from the cold than the rancher’s usual fur pelt would give.
“Good, we found you.”
“You did! Was that a friend of ours?” Fauna asked while gesturing in the direction the golden form had gone with the wild wolf.
“Something like that.” Horus replied uneasily.
Dysmas huffed and padded over to Time, he sheathed his sword and buried one hand into the thick fur. It took a moment before he realized just how warm Dysmas was compared to him and as he noticed it the golden form appeared at the edge of the firelight. Dysmas gave a soft whine which was replied to with a soft bark and the golden creature, another wolf but bigger and older than Dysmas, padded over to press against Horus and Fauna. Horus sighed and shook his head.
“You can’t possibly carry both of us.”
The wolf gave him a Look and Time giggled as he climbed onto Dysmas when the younger wolf pressed against him in a similar way. He gave a sigh of contentment as he curled close to his back greedily drinking in the extra warmth that the coat Fauna loaned him failed to give. With the others Time noticed that Fauna clearly didn’t care about whatever Horus was worried about and easily climbed onto the golden wolf.
“Storm, please.”
“Horus, he clearly thinks he can do it… let’s trust him?”
Horus sighed and nodded.
“Okay, but if it comes to it you and Time will be taken back to the others first. It’s late and a storm is coming.” Horus climbed onto the wolf, apparently Storm, who huffed and stepped lightly out into the snow.
Time blinked but stayed huddled down close to Dysmas’ back.
“You two are half frozen… I hate to think what would have happened if Storm and Dysmas hadn’t found a way to track you.”
“So it really is Storm?”
“Seems so, apparently he can transform into other forms too but he didn’t say much other than this one is the most useful.”
“I’m glad.”
Storm apparently had enough of being talked about and huffed again before changing how he was moving. Dysmas copied him and soon the two wolves were off, bounding into the evening light as they headed towards the others. Time noted that they were heading east south east which meant that the others had probably found a proper cave or town of some sort. He glanced at Fauna and Horus, frowning when he noticed how Horus was holding Fauna on Storm’s back as the golden wolf moved. Fauna was partially limp against the Captain while Storm moved with surprising ease through the snowy landscape.
“Please say it’s close? Fauna protected me on the way down and I think he might be hurt.”
Storm’s ears twitched and he glanced back for a moment before slowing a touch so Dysmas was closer to him then he did something that made the bounding steps they took cover more distance. Horus made a concerned sound as it happened again and again. Time watched as the shimmering of Storm’s fur faded a bit but once he stopped and slowed to a walk Horus seemed to recognize where they were.
“Hey Sprite, how about you warn me before you start bending reality next time?”
Storm gave him a softly confused look as he kept walking towards the cave opening ahead. Dysmas crouched low and Time climbed off his back, guessing that he wanted to shift back to his Hylian form. Once he had two legs again Dysmas ruffled his hair and picked Time up. Time sighed and cuddled closer to him noting that the fur pelt was just as warm as the wolf’s fur had been.
“You did good, telling us about that. Storm was wondering why neither of you was acting hurt. If Fauna was hiding it or not aware… well either way, good job and thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you and thank Storm for coming to find us.”
The Hero of Time helps others along their adventures because of the Hero's Spirit and how it can link the Links. This is the focal point, the start of their journey.
Link was dreaming, he only ever saw Termina or the peoples of that land in his dreams now. He walked through the familiar land, the grass rippling with the gentle wind. It almost made him want to reach for that presence that smelt of the Sea Breeze.
Something approached him before he could give into that urge and Link spun. His eyes went wide as he stumbled back a step. Majora loomed over him, the tentacled arms lashed out, catching him. As he was lifted from the ground electricity washed through him from those tentacled arms.
Darkness enveloped the entire area, casting the grass and all except for Link and Majora into shadow. Link struggled against Majora's hold but it didn't loosen.
Crack!
Link's back felt like it was on fire. Another lash, and more of that fire. He was held even tighter by Majora as he struggled harder to get free. Some instinct screamed that he needed to get away from Majora, from whoever it was behind him, but Link was trapped.
The strikes kept coming, until finally he went limp. His eyes were half closed while he tried to stay relaxed in the hold on him. Another strike which earned nothing from him beyond a soft cry of pain, and then he was released. Link stayed there for a moment, waiting to see who the other was if he could.
A glimpse of fiery hair, darkened skin, and a cruel glare stuck with him as he swiftly rolled to his feet and bolted. Expecting both Majora and whoever had been with him to try to capture or kill him Link was far swifter about dodging the strikes as he made his way away from them towards the brilliant pool of light ahead of him.
He slid into the light just before Majora could manage to grab him again and collapsed. He felt utterly exhausted but also hollowed out. He was sure it was just a dream but as he slowly woke up he ached like he hadn't since he faced Ganondorf.
It took him two tries to even just sit up but as Link buried his face in his hands he already felt the dream slipping away. Feebly he tried to stop it from vanishing but was too tired to do so.
"Easy, Little Hero. All will be well, but you will have to work with others to stop the pain and recover what was lost."
Confusion stirred because he almost didn't feel any pain but the hollowness and the soft ache that came with it seemed to pulse in time with something and that left him dizzy. What happened? Who had that happened to? Why were the others so hard to reach now?
"All will be answered in time. For now rest a little and once you feel up to it gather your things then head to the Lake. From there I will get you to the others who will help fix things."
Rest sounded lovely, and if it was important enough Kishin would tell him. For now Link closed his eyes and sank back down to the mattress, curled up like he was in pain though he wasn't aware of any such pain. His adventure pack would be easy enough to gather when he woke and then he'd be off to wherever he was needed... hopefully no one would worry too much about him.
No idea why but apparently the parents of the Links have been on my mind tonight so I wrote a little thing for my au... not including the newest Link I'm thinking about adding.
"So Legend, your mother died in a storm and your father died because of an illness, right?"
"That's right." The Skyloftian nodded. He turned a carving he was working on to see an angle of it better.
"What about you, Dysmas?" Fauna asked, his eyes bright with curiosity for something he himself was missing.
"Me? Well... my parents are still alive. I thought for a while that I killed them on accident by releasing some sort of deity that had been laid to rest, but they're fine and I saw them a few months back."
"Wow, that sounds much cooler than they vanished into the night at sea." Time commented, he saw the way the others turned to look at him and nodded. 'Yep! Granny says that they went out on the sea one night and just disappeared. There was a storm early the next morning so they probably sunk."
"That's horrible."
"It's life, but if it's so bad, what about you Sage?"
"Hmm, my mother died during my birth. My father... he was a knight, I wanted to be like him for a bit but I saw how that worried my uncle so I decided to grow an orchard instead."
"Ah, so that's why you have so many trees around!" Hope exclaimed delighted.
"It is." Sage nodded and gave Hope a small grin. "What about you?"
"No idea, I just know my mother was part fairy and my father was originally from Hyrule. They left it but I wanted to go back and see the land there so I did and well..."
"Ended up a hero?" Prism asked.
Hope nodded, a sheepish grin on his face as he did so. "Honestly I don't even know if they're alive or not, it's been so long."
"You should visit when you get the chance." Prism suggested and Hope nodded, happy for the suggestion. "My father is a Captain, he thinks I'm reckless. My mother... she died within a couple of weeks of being thrown from a horse."
"Sounds like my dad." Horus commented, pausing in his sketching. The pencil he held hovered over the paper as he looked at them. He grinned then and shrugged. "Next time if we can we should visit my mom, she makes the best pies."
"That does sound good!" Fauna agreed readily.
Storm wanted to laugh at his enthusiasm, something the others shared too, he didn't because he felt the others look at him and knew he was next to be questioned. Sure enough Fauna turned a pleading look at him and he sighed, a rueful smile on his face.
"My parents are both dead. My mother died taking me to a Guardian Spirit so it could raise me, and my father was executed as a traitor during a civil war... they were jumping at shadows a bit at the time since they later discovered that he was not a traitor and was gathering information to keep others safe."
"I take it back, yours is not the worst story Time, Storm's is."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you can go back to making up tales of giant octoroks and leave telling tragedies to Storm, he lived through more."
Storm did laugh at that because it was true, and yet they hadn't heard more than a small handful of those tragedies.
