[Image Description: A 6 paneled colored page for Linked Spirit Legend of Zelda AU. Panel 1: The spirit train on the path to the Tower of Spirits. Panel 2: Spirit Tracks Zelda (Phantom) stands inside the tower, with a Phantom Helmet on. She says "Why is this so Heavy now-" Panel 3: She lifts up a sword with a "HA HA!" Panel 4: She takes the helmet off, eyes wide as the spirit train pulls up behind her. Engie looks back at Smith who leaps off the train. Panel 5: Phantom kicks the hemlet behind her, holding the sword behind her back and says "Link! What brings you here?" with a smile. Panel 6: Engie points at an excitedly waving Smith "New ghost situation." Phantom gasps, face exaggeratedly terrified, shouting "GHOSTS?!" End ID]
masterpost - pages masterpost
First-
Timeline 2- Era of the Four Spirit: Previous (37.2) - 38.2 ^ - Next (39.2)
[Image Description: A drawing (left) based on a screenshot of Spirit Tracks (right). Link and Zelda hold hands, looking at a sunrise and the Spirit Tower. In the redraw, Link is leaning heavily on Zelda, wearing the green tunic. Zelda's hair is curly, and blowing in the wind. The scene's perspective is shifted so that the tower is slightly more centered. End ID]
And another Screenshot Redraw with screenshot via @marenwithanm <3 They're just adorable
[Image Description: A character lineup of the Zeldas of the Linked Spirit AU, each labeled. Lady, Hero's Zelda, she/they/he: She is tan with a blond braid and the hair in front of her ears is wrapped in a dark purple ribbon. She wears purple pants and fingerless gloves. He wears a blue corset and a pink dress with ruffled sleeves and a split skirt. He wears dark blue boots with gold diamond patterns on the side. Zelda, Skyward Sword, she/her: She's tan with blond hair with straight bangs, her side bangs tied with ribbon and a red and blue feather. She has a teal beret and vest. She wears a white shirt, and magenta skirt. On one wrist, she wears a goddess bracket. She wears a wrap under her belt that has a light purple bird symbol. Princess, The Legend of Zelda, LoZ Cartoon, she/her: Dark skinned with curly red hair in a large bun. She wears a gold tiara and pink bow in her hair. She wears a purple shirt with princess sleeves and pink pants, with a light blue vest-skirt. She wears brown boots that go above her knee. Briar, Adventure of Link, she/her: She has a warm-light skintone, with red hair and a silver tiara. She wears a red puff-sleeve bodice and a red-orange bell skirt. Twilight, Twilight Princess, she/her: She is pale, with brown hair tied in a bun and ponytail. She wears a dark purple dress with a pale purple bodice. She wears long white gloves, and golden shoulder armor. The skirt banner has the triforce, the Hylian symbol, and simplified shapes of the light spirits. She wields her sword in front of her. Bloom, Breath of the Wild, they/them: They are pale with chin-length blond hair. They wear a white shirt and blue vest, with a thin ribbon tie. They have black pants, brown boots and a wide decorated belt. Lantern, CDi: Wand of Gamelon, she/her. She is tan with light blond hair and blue eyes. She has her arms folded, wearing a purple cloak and light purple dress. She wears a blue vest over her dress. She has a magic lantern on her hip attached to her belt.
Sheik, Ocarina of Time, she/he: The adult Sheik matches Sheik from Ocarina of Time, holding a golden lyre. Next to him is Kid Zelda, who is tanner, and her dress is collared, with pink lines in the skirt, otherwise, she matches Kid Zelda from Ocarina of Time. Tetra, Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, she/her: Tetra has dark skin, and light blond hair in a bun. She has a roc and a white feather in her hair. She wears a blue vest with gold trim, a red scarf and sash, and her light purple tunic-shirt has a long end with the triforce symbol and blue wind waker spiral patterns. Her shorts are white and baggy, and she wears sandals with straps up her calf. She has a tattoo on her bicep of crossed swords. Phantom, Spirit Tracks, she/her: A dark skinned 12 year old, with long curly blond hair with a white streak of hair. She wears a crown with horn-like spikes and white feathers behind her ears. She wears a pink dress with a purple bodice with pink spiral patterns. She wears gold jewelry on her belt and neckline with dark purple shoulder pads. Her hands are covered with long white gloves. Her dress banner is dark blue with a gold wing design and triforce. Sunflower, A Link to the Past, Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons, she/they: She is tan skinned with blond hair. She wears a light purple dress with gold shoulder pads and bracers. Their apron is a deep pink with a red triforce and triangle patterns, and her belt holds two golden tassels. She wears a white cape. Art, Link Between Worlds, she/her: She is light-skinned and she has blond hair with center parted bangs. She wears a white dress with blue trim and a white cape. Her pink apron is decorated with gold patterns and triforce. She has golden shoulder pads and bracers, and gold tassels hang off her belt. Mini, Minish Cap, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, she/her: She has tan skin and red hair in a high ponytail framed with white feathers. She wears a light pink dress with a white cape clasped with gold. She wears pink gloves and tan boots. She wears a pink bodice with white trim, and a banner is attached to her belt. The banner has the trifoce symbol and a gold kin-stone like symbol surrounded with the Minish Cap Element symbols. End ID]
Zeldas!! I lowkey needed a reference for myself. SO, here's the girls! And yes I did name TP Zelda Twilight to be confusing :P (But mostly because I think the one who got called The Twilight Princess by Midna deserves to have the name Twilight)
-Link had been injured in the train crash just before fighting Malladus. Now that the battle's done, she's starting to really feel how bad that all was.
Warnings: angsty, hurt/comfort, injury leading to disability, crush-stage zelink (that might be slightly 2nd hand embarrassment inducing at a moment or two), forced-medication/potion drinking(?) (lemme know if there's anything else to tag)
____
Link clutched Zelda’s hand tightly as the Lokomo spirits vanished into the heavens. She was starting to feel lightheaded after all this. She barely had room in her mind to think anything beyond keeping ahold of Zelda.
“...We should go home,” Zelda said after a while.
Link let out a vague hum, not moving. She wasn’t sure she could manage another step. The adrenaline was leaving her system and she was entirely drained. Zelda looked at her, brows furrowing “Link?”
She swallowed around the cottony feeling in her mouth. She knew she at least attempted to say “I think I need to lay down.” But she wasn’t sure it ever came out properly. Instead, the world spun.
“Link!” Zelda yelled. She was holding both of her hands now. The ground was solid against her back, and now everything burned. But Zelda was there and her hands were warm and real, that was good. “Oh-Oh no. HEY. Stay with me okay?” She slapped her cheek. Link yelped, eyes opening wide. When did she close them? Zelda sighed, “Er-where- where do you keep your potions?”
Her hands awkwardly hovered over her and she frowned. She hadn’t noticed this whole adventure? She fumbled to reach her pouch and Zelda practically pounced on it. She made a sharp cry at the sudden intrusion of her space. Zelda shushed her, gentle but sharp regardless.
“Sorry! Okay! I’m just-”
One of her hands rested over her jaw, a thumb brushing her lip. The increasingly loopy part of her brain thought “This would be a weird time for my first kiss.”
Zelda’s bug-eyed expression potentially implied she’d somehow said some of that out loud. “Just drink the stupid potion!” She poured the liquid down her throat and she coughed as it went in regardless of her wishes.
She wheezed and turned on her side, coughing.
“AH! Sorry! Sorry!” Zelda yelped in panic.
Link whined, then lifted a thumbs up.
Zelda socked her in the shoulder. “You scared me!”
“Sorry” She croaked. It still hurt. She fumbled and tugged up the tunic, struggling to free it up from under the belt.
“What are you DOING?” Zelda gasped, covering her eyes.
Link pulled the tunic up and struggled to lean over herself to take a proper look at her torso. Purple was blooming under her ribs. Her brows furrowed.
Zelda peaked at her and her hands shifted to cover her mouth instead. “That- that’s not from Maladus, is it?”
Link blinked and shook her head, “Train crash…”
“You were fighting Maladus with THIS?” Zelda’s fingers gingerly reached to poke at the bruise forming. Link winced. She shrugged. “So the potion only cleared up the surface injuries.” Zelda nearly growled, scowling at her, “You should’ve taken it earlier.” She stood up, crossing her arms, “Now I have to carry you.”
“I can-” Link mumbled, sitting up. Her body seized under her and she fell back. Her eyes went wide. She swallowed “Zelda…”
She looked at her sympathetically.
Her eyes flickered over her face, “Carefully?” She tugged her tunic back down. “I- I don’t know what’s wrong.”
--
"You should have seen your old grandpa when he'd been shot from our cannon," Niko chuckled, "He looked so sour when Miss Tetra stuffed him in there."
Link and Zelda were sound asleep next to each other. His sleepy face was tilted towards a flurry of blond curls. Zelda rested her head against Link’s chest. Her cascade of hair rippled over the pillow. Her fingers loosely intertwined with his. The pair of children seemed peaceful, but exhausted.
Telling stories while Link slept wasn't an uncommon event, so it really only felt right to do it on purpose for once. Although, for some reason it felt distinctly quiet and uneasy this time. Looking at the injured boy, sound asleep.
The door creaked open. Old Man Niko lifted his head, eyes widening. Alfonzo placed a hand on his sword- only to release it. Ol' Link's daughter and her husband walked through the door quietly, focused with themselves, clearly assuming the house was asleep.
"A little party is entirely appropriate," she whispered as she entered the door walking backward, "We missed the ceremony, the least we can do is-"
"Link always hated those kinds of things," the kid's father said, walking after her, "I think we should take him for a day around a museum or-"
"Oh lovely, you're home!" Niko cheered.
Alfonzo nodded to them.
The pair looked up. "Oh! You're up," little Link's father said, startled.
Link's mother smiled, "You keeping Alfonzo up late with your stories, Old Man?" She hugged Niko, "You wouldn't believe the freak storm we encountered on the way back, we had to dock at Dragon's Roost for an extra week-" she cut herself off from her sailing story, eyes settling past Niko at her child's bed. She stared for a moment.
Link looked battered and bruised, purple blooming under his eye. But what was likely most noticeable was the cast over his leg and a rigid brace over his midsection.
Alfonzo hummed lowly, "They went on something of an adventure…"
Link's mother covered her mouth, hiccupping her breaths, "He… his-"
"He fell out of a train...and fought a demon right after" Niko said, "they… want to try and get everything set properly before they give him another healing potion after the one he took himself. To make sure it doesn't heal over in the wrong position."
"A demon?" Her father asked, bewildered.
"He was called Malladus, and had attempted to possess the Princess's body. These two," Niko gestured to the Princess and the boy, "fought him and destroyed him. Saved the day!"
"I don't understand- he- he was just supposed to just get an engineer's- I-" his mother sobbed. Slowly, carefully, she walked over. She knelt at his bedside. Her shaky hand carding through her child's hair.
"Do the healers know if everything will… set right?" His father said softly, gentle and quiet.
"They can't be sure. He…" Niko rubbed his eyes, shaking his head.
Alfonzo sighed softly, putting a hand on Niko's shoulder, "He ran on it for some time, they suspect nerve damage… It might never properly heal even if it does set straight."
The princess stirred, lifting her head as she glanced over the adults in the room, "Who-" she blinked away sleep from her eyes, sitting up gently. "Oh… you must be Link's parents."
The pair nodded.
"I hear you had an adventure with our kiddo," his father chuckled lightly, "It's an honor to meet you Princess."
"Ah. Yes… You as well" Zelda looked down at Link, brows knit in concern, “Link speaks highly of you,” she said.
“Oh, glad to hear” Link's father laughed lightly. His eyes shone in the dim light.
The princess bowed her head, "I'm- I'm sorry. It's all my fault- he was only ever helping me and I- he would've never been hurt if-"
"Zelda," Alfonzo said softly, "None of it's your fault."
"I just feel so-"
"I'm sure he was happy to help," his mother said with a sniffle, "He's always been eager to help."
Zelda closed her eyes and let out a slow breath, "I know… I- I just wish I could help him in turn. I almost miss being a suit of armor," Zelda giggled, rubbing her face, "I tried- I tried to protect him as much as he did me-"
His mother took the Princess's hand gently, "I'm glad to know he had you."
Zelda smiled softly and nodded once.
Link whined a little, face scrunching up, "Wh's going onnnn?"
"Link! Your parents are here!" Zelda announced, leaning back down to look at his face.
Link opened his eyes slowly. Then gasped, eyes widening further at Zelda's closeness. Face warming. Beside him, his mother chuckled as she brushed her hand against his cheek.
"Oh," Link tilted his head to look at his parents. He smiled. "You're back safe!"
"Oh, honey," his mother laughed softly, "yes, yes we are."
"How are you feeling?" his father asked.
Link smiled, nervous and lopsided, "Like I was hit by a train?"
His mother snickered and shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes again. She leaned her head against Link's, forehead to forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too," Link whispered, closing his eyes again.
His father leaned in to hug them both, "I'm so sorry we weren't here-"
Link hummed and shrugged lightly. "It's okay."
“It’s not okay honey, we’re your parents we’re supposed to be here to protect you-” his mother said, shifting so she could cradle Link's head against her chest. Her son pliant and willing to snuggle in.
“I’m- I’m old enough to protect myself,” Link said softly, “I knew what I was doing…” he sighed, looking around the room, “I don’t want any of you blaming yourselves.”
“You got hurt pretty badly, Link,” his father whispered softly.
“I’m sorry- but… I knew what I was doing,” he reaffirmed, “I knew if I kept going on with my injuries I’d make it worse. But, I did it because I knew Zelda needed help,” his brows furrowed. “New Hyrule needed us.” He sighed heavily and closed his eyes.
His father sighed, “...My brave boy.” Link giggled a little in response.
Zelda leaned down and shifted back into the hug. "You could've at least said something," Zelda mumbled.
Link groaned and buried his face more into his mother. Weakly, he swatted a hand blindly at Zelda. She avoided it with a laugh.
"Hey, I'm not a ghost anymore! You can't do that when you're annoyed now, I'm the Princess, you'll get arrested."
"Ok. Arrest me," Link murmured against his mother's shirt. Zelda huffed hotly. After a short beat of quiet, the pair of children giggled, amused with themselves.
His mother shook her head, kissing the top of Link's hair. "You two seem close."
"Yeah," Link said softly.
"Wh-what? Just 'yeah'?" Zelda shook her head, briefly lifting a hand to her cheek, gaze shifting almost nervously. She shook her head, "We're friends now. Perhaps best friends! Yes. I like that. Best friends. He's been especially kind and not nearly as awkward as he was at first. I greatly appreciate his friendship."
Link smiled, feeling a blush rise.
"Aw, Link's always been shy, glad you've gotten over that hurdle," his father said.
Link grumbled "Am not…"
"So you just stared nervously at the guards without a word because that's how you imagined recruits did things?" Zelda teased.
"Oh that was all your fault. I don't know how to 'small talk'. I still don't understand what makes talk small."
The princess leaned up slightly, brows furrowed. Link's mother laughed lightly, "Don't try to explain it, Princess, I've tried for years. He knows the definition, just not the application."
Link sighed dramatically. Then took in a sharp hiss of a breath, hand going to his chest.
"Link? Are you okay?" His mother asked, hands flitting to assess him.
"I dunno- I just… breathed too hard, I guess." He closed his eyes, frowning.
"Maybe you should go back to sleep," Niko piped up. "It's been a long day."
Link nodded "I like sleep."
"Too much." Niko laughed. "But it'll be good for ya. For you all, actually."
The boy's parents sighed.
"Sounds like a good idea," his father said. "We'll unload the ship tomorrow."
"I'll be going, then." Zelda said with a heavy sigh.
Link whined a little, "Wha? Really?"
"I don't wish to intrude-" Zelda said, glancing around the small home, "Besides I should take the train back to the castle soon, everyone will worry-"
"Don't worry about it, Princess," Alfonzo said, "I told everyone I'd be here for you when we left."
"You're very welcome to stay here," Link's mother said with a nod, "It's late regardless."
Link's hand quietly found Zelda's. She glanced down at him. His eyes peacefully closed, his hand giving hers a squeeze. Zelda sighed, "Alright. Thank you for your hospitality."
"You're Aunt Tetra's granddaughter. My home is yours." Link's mother winked. Zelda laughed lightly. "Now, scoot over, I'm sleeping here."
Link whined "Moooom why?"
"Because I love you, and you can't escape your mother's love" She scooped her arms under Link's knees and upper back and carefully shifted him over so there was enough room for them all. He made a small pained noise of protest. Zelda was quickly snuggling into her place, squeezing his hand again. He relaxed easily.
His mother crawled into the bed, careful of her use of space. She curled, protectively, around her child.
Link's father smiled softly, "Good Night."
"Oh, does anyone want a bedtime story?" Niko exclaimed softly with a grin.
"Old Man, you need to sleep too, git" Link's mother huffed.
Niko chuckled. Quickly enough, the lights were snuffed, and the house was asleep. Soft and warm.
