Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It hurts.

He is in so much agony that it's nearly impossible to think straight. If he could he would wonder how he can still feel at all. Shattering the mirror was supposed to destroy him too. He knows he feels broken and cracked, but he is still somehow whole. Why? Why did he survive? He’s drifting in a sea of pain, his magic weakly reaching out for any source of comfort. It won’t find any with the mirror gone. At least, that's what he believes. Until, miraculously, it does.

It’s faint at first, barely there and nearly missed, but it slowly grows as he subconsciously reaches towards it. When it connects he feels peace for the first time in as long as he can remember. He feels safe and wrapped in protection and care and hope.

Then he falls.

He can’t scream no matter how much he wants to. That magic is dragging him down deeper and deeper. He becomes slightly more aware of what is around him. A tunnel of light and dark, within which he is tumbling and flailing as he continues to fall. He can't stop himself. He can barely move on his own. This neverending nightmare of falling into eternity. He is so scared. He doesn't know how much time has passed before something changes. Like he has passed through a barrier of sorts. Yet he continues to fall fall fall.

Then suddenly he hits the ground.

An explosion of sound erupts around him, distracting him from the agonizing pain that landing caused. People's voices that he cannot quite place. Yelling, screaming, fearful and confused. Two voices cut in over them, calming the storm of noise. He feels his heart stir a bit at them. One voice warm and playful with a hint of power to back the slight threat in her tone. The other cool and gentle but in no way delicate, the strength of her conviction clear. The storm backs down and it's quiet save for small soft murmurs of worry.

He feels a hand on his face and can’t help the soft whimper that leaves him at the feeling. It’s soft… a glove? The gentle voice croons at him, but he still cannot make out the words. He wants to see what's going on. With great effort he forces his eyes to open up just enough to make out who is before him. It’s a woman, her skin the same pale tan shade as his when under glamour, but her hair and eyes are the same deep purple and bright red as his when he is not. It confuses him and he blinks slowly at her to showcase this. She sucks in a sharp breath at the sight of his eyes and searches his face desperately. What is she looking for? She looks so upset.

She asks quietly, “Ring Toyl?”

He wants to respond, that name is familiar, but he can’t stay conscious any longer. He falls, this time into slumber amidst cries of shock and two piercing cries of despair and relief.

Chapter Text

Vio was confused.

This had been bothering him since they met up with the others in the chain and learned more about them. Hearing about their adventures and the repeating themes throughout them. He has come to a conclusion.

He was the odd one out.

Almost everything was in sets of threes for the other links with only Wild being a bit of an oddball, but he was so far ahead in the future that it didn’t really count. And Legends stint with the seasons was another problem in itself. Four, and therefore Vio, were earlier on in the timeline so they were more of the anomaly. 

Three, three, three.

Three goddesses, three oracles, three attributes.

Three dragons, three sacred jewels, three pendants.

Three tunics, three triforce pieces, three colors.

Green, Blue, Red.

But not Purple.

Not Violet.

So what was he then?

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It was totally not his fault, he blames Shadow. That idiot was the one who dragged him into this mess. He had assured him it was going to be fine, they were just going to go get gifts for the others. Yet here he is, trussed up and locked in a tower like a damn damsel in distress. It's dirty in this tower, and his clothes are getting all filthy and wrinkled! Shadow just had to try and steal a dark magic book for Vio from these punk ass magicians.

They were walking through town, going to all the little shops. Blue had already gotten a huge plush for Red, not that he didn't already have millions of the damn things already, a few puzzles for Green, and some of those materials Vio said he was missing for some weird experiment of his. Shadow was freaking out because he didn't quite know what to get everyone, the awkward fucker, and was bugging him for ideas.

“Well, Red is a sentimental fuck and likes anything pretty and cute, Green usually likes practical stuff or anything that requires patience and focus, and Vio is a fucking nerd and likes learning new shit.”

The shade pouts and Blue rolls his eyes at him. Pointedly ignoring the fact that he had gotten the idiot one of those plants he likes. A cactus. The idiot is obsessed with them, and crystals for some reason. He ends up following the frantic fifth as he searches even though he already has everything he needs himself. It's just funny to want him flail and fail. At least until they end up in the kinda sketchy part of town. Blue tries to convince him to leave but he is too interested in all the crazy shit being sold.

That's when he found what Blue is pretty sure is a cult.

It was this sketchy ass group of five dressed in black. They had a tent and their table displayed a lot of weird, probably illegal shit. Of course Shadow was drawn to it, the stuff radiated dark magic. It was useless to try and stop him, but that didn't mean he didn't try. Especially when the asshole picked up a thick ass book of dark magic with an admittedly pretty stylized cover. Of course it was ridiculously overpriced, as were all the other items, and he was able to drag his idiot pseudo sibling away after a while of trying to barter.

He should have known the dumbass somehow pocketed the thing and left a fake.

Next thing he knows he’s getting hit on the head and everything goes dark. Then he wakes up to this stupid situation. The lead mage was yelling at him about the missing book. Apparently if Shadow doesn’t show up and give it back he’s gonna be used as a sacrifice for some ritual. He has no doubt that even if they get it back they're still gonna try and use him. Just great. Unfortunately for them, Shadow is a shadow and isn't bound by normal rules. Which is why he doesn't flinch when his shadow ripples and the idiot pokes out his head. It didn't take long to break out after that, and he apparently did something right and called the guards on this place. Blue is still pissed, but the idiot looks so pleased with himself he keeps his mouth shut for once.

Chapter Text

Magic has always been an intrinsic part of the world in which the land of Hyrule inhabits. It flows through every aspect of nature, and every creature to an extent. Some creatures can use this magic to their heart's content, others never seem to even realize it is there. Things made from materials soaked in magic have magical properties themselves. The power of magic is wide and varied, sometimes reflecting the elements, other times light and darkness, and sometimes even time and space.

The Four Sword was an enigma of magic. Once the Picori Blade of pure light magic, it was embellished with the power of the elements, and then sealed away the darkness in the heart of Vaati, the combination turning it into a near divine blade. Only the Master Sword, who’s magic reaches across time and space, is more powerful. Unfortunately the blade was not allowed to settle before being used to lock away the dark magic, and the magic of the blade was slightly twisted, absorbing part of it.

So when Link pulled the sword again, instead of being multiplied, he was instead divided.

The elements were split across the four, aligning with the pieces of personality they embodied. 

Green received the focus and motivation, his element of wind portraying his role as the guiding breeze and the gale at their backs pushing them forwards towards their goal. He is their driving force, giving them the encouragement they need and rallying them together.

Blue was aggressive and hot headed but also clean and orderly, the very definition of uncivil obedience. Like the element of water, he crashed against the edges of their team pushing at them and roughing them into shape, but also buoyed them safely to shore in times of danger. He can be as unpredictable as the sea, but he is a constant pushing and pulling force for his brothers.

Red was a ball of innocence and purity, emotional and fierce when needed. Fire is his element, but not the only one. Though he is the fiery emotion, the burning love and affection, he was also the light. Red received nearly all of the light magic, which is why he prefers magic and the rod of his main element to that of the sword. With time and practice the raw ruby could be polished into a true mage of light and healing.

This left Violet. Vio, the enigma personified, cold and calculating yet steady and calm. He roots himself like the earth that is his element, using wisdom and logic to support the rest of the team. However, the darkness that had crept into the sword had to go somewhere. Link himself had very little darkness within him for the dark magic to latch onto, but that little was just enough. Vio was that tiny piece of Link that wished he was the villain, and it is why it was so easy to pretend to be on the side of evil. A Dark Mage he may become, but an evil one he will not, for even with his potential dark power he still fights for good.

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It was sitting right there.

He doesn't know who the hell brought it into the house but whoever did it is going to die tonight.... If he could ever move past the kitchen of course.

The evil object is just sitting there on the counter, mocking him with his own color. How dare it trespass upon his domain. This is his house, even though he shares it with his brothers. He won't stand for this insult!

He creeps closer to the demon, sword brandished in offense, teeth bared in challenge. He just has to get close enough to bat it into the trash where it belongs. No big deal. He can do this. It's not like ohmygoditmoved.

He startles backwards with a shriek of terror, scrambling for the corner of the room as the dreaded enemy rocks back and forth threateningly on the counter. Terror rolls across his spine, for he knows it wasn't just a figment of his imagination. Yet, how could it be true, the monster shouldn't be able to move at all!

It must be possessed. It needs to burn.

“Red!!!!” He screeches for the brother who usually controls the kitchen. Maybe he will know of the origins of this dreaded creature of spice and death. The one he knows should not exist within this sanctuary. There's footsteps and soon said brother is entering the room looking very confused and concerned.

“Green? What is it? What's wrong? Why are you hiding over in the corner? What's with the sword?”

Green lifts a trembling hand and points over at the counter, “We have been invaded, please Red, burn it to ash. Banish it from this mortal plane.”

Red frowns confused and slowly follows the pointed finger to the cause of all this mess. He blinks at what he finds and rubs his eyes to make sure it's what he thinks it is.

A measly green pepper.

“Green… It's just a pepper. There's no reason to be afraid. I was going to use it to make dinner tonight.``

Green hisses like a feral cat and scrambles from the room. He doesn't talk to Red for the next week after this. Vio made sure to hide the string he used before Red started dinner.

Chapter Text

There are a thousand ways to say I love you, both verbally and silent. There are all types of love too, and none is more important than any other type. At least, that is what Red believes. Red is bursting with love for his brothers, they are a part of him in every aspect. Though the people of the town don’t quite understand their bond, they don’t need to as long as the four of them do.

Red knows that he is the most outwardly emotional one of the team. He has never tried to hide it, in fact he often emotes where the others can't seem to be able to. He cries when they can't, gets mad when they won't, and expresses joy when they resist. One of the things all his brothers have issues with is saying, “I love you.” Red understands, it can be hard to put down your walls and open yourself to the hurt some emotions can give you so bluntly. It is why he has gotten so good at being able to tell when they’re saying it silently.

Green says it by leaving little notes of encouragement and reminders everywhere for the things they have forgotten to do. He cares for them when they are sick, gently patting away the sweat from their brow with a cool wet cloth. He keeps the shelves stocked with their favorites and is there to support them when they struggle. It's in the proud look in his eye when they accomplish something together, and in his lighthearted laughter when they mess up and apologize, telling them that it's alright they can just try again.

Blue says it by cleaning up behind everyone. He changes their sheets and washes clothes and sweeps and tidies up all their messes. He mumbles gruff encouragement when they are feeling down, and literally fights them when they put themselves down. He goes along with their stupid stunts with a fond eyeroll and a smug smirk. He yells at them when they put themselves in danger and grouches as he patches up their wounds with a delicate hand.

Vio has the most trouble out of all of them expressing himself emotionally. At times he seems to not have any feelings at all. But he still sits with them as a silent steadfast comfort when they're at their worst. He awkwardly pats them on the back and gives them stiff hugs. He stutters out encouragement and praises. Plays pranks on anyone who says anything bad about his brothers. He leaves them little presents here and there. Things they’ve mentioned in passing to wanting but never getting around to getting them for themselves.

Red loves his brothers, he tells him as often as he can. He cooks them meals, knits them scarves and hats and blankets. He hugs them with all his strength, and tells them to their faces how amazing he thinks they are. How he loves being with all of them. He talks them through the feelings they don’t quite know how to express. Helps them understand that it doesn't make them any less because of it. They are a part of each other, and they will be there to help when another is lost.

Red verbally says I love you the most, but that doesn’t mean he is loved the least. They are the same but different, and their love for one another cannot be measured by societal means.