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Chapter Text

"Well obviously we can't all be Link." Link stated. The others looked around at eachother.

 The guy with the Master Sword looked around awkwardly. "Fi suggests that we use our hero titles." He said. "Sort of like nicknames."

Link waited for someone to speak. When no one did, he rolled his eyes. "I guess that makes me Legend then."

The shy kid that reminded Link - no - Legend of some kind of wild animal, like a deer, perked up. If Legend squinted, it almost looked like his eyes were glittering. "You're the Hero of Legend?" He asked, awed.

Legend nodded, slightly uncomfortable with the attention. The knight-looking guy next to him laughed quiet enough so only Legend could hear. "Looks like you've got yourself an admirer." He whispered. 

Legend shot a glare his way.

"Well what's your name then, pretty boy?" He asked.

"If we're going by hero titles, then I'm Warriors." He replied.

"Ooh, I'm Wind!" The young kid on Legend's other side said.

They made their way around the circle, with someone occasionaly recognising someone else.

"Time." The man with one eye said. Everyone stared, except for two of the group who just looked confused.

"The Hero of Time?" The one with the country accent, Twilight, asked.

Time shrugged, as if being the Hero of Goddamn Time was no big deal.

Legend shook his head. "Ok, next?" He asked to distract everyone from the shocked silence that Time's name drop had brought upon the group.

The last of them, the one with the master sword, spoke up. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Well I get called 'The Chosen Hero' but uh, I'd rather not."

Four, the little one with the patchwork tunic, snapped his head over to the chosen one. "I might not know the Hero of Time," He said, "But you're the Chosen Hero? Hylia's champion? The Hero of the Skies?"

Legend snapped his fingers. "There. Bam. Sky, nice to meet you."

When everyone looked his way again, he raised his eyebrows as if to say 'what?'

"Look," He said. "You guys can fanboy over eachother all day, but now introductions are all done, I'm more concerned about what in Hylia's name is going on."

Wind nodded wisely. "Fair point pinky."

"That's not- don't call me that!"

Chapter Text

"Well apart from the old man and Sky, does anyone else have a partner?"

It wasn't an odd question that Warriors asked. Just something to pass the time. Legend, who sat on a log next to him sorting his collection of... things, looked up. He made bemused expression before humouring the captain.

"I'm married."

Warriors' head snapped up along with everyone elses, with expressions ranging from shock to confusion.

"What? Since when?" Wind exclaimed. "Why has this never come up before?"

Legend just shrugged like the little shit he was. "Never seemed relevent."

Sky shook his head. "We've had plenty of conversations about relationships. What do you mean it never seemed relevent?"

Warriors leaned forward. "Spill." He demanded. "I want to know who, what, when, where, and why."

A small smile appeared on Legend's lips as he looked away, an expression that wasn't so common to see on their veteran.

"He's a... merchant. A scamming one at that." He snorted. "We married for two things, tax reasons, and also the fact that he didn't have any papers and would have been arrested otherwise."

"Surely it's not just that." Sky said with a pointed look.

"What else would there be?"

Warriors threw out his hands. "Oh I don't know Legend." He replied sarcasticaly. "Maybe, love?"

Legend just pulled a face. "My apologies captain. Let me just gush about my husband and all his fine qualities." 

The pink haired hero procesed to mock faint onto the captains shoulder as if he was love sick. Putting on a high-pitched voice he said, "Oh my darling husband! He's so handsome, and wise! I miss him so much! When we get back to my era, I just can't wait to smooch him on his perfect lips!"

Warriors screwed up his nose when Legend made a kissy face at him. "Okay, okay, I get it. But anyway, can we at least get a name?"

"Oh yeah. His name's Ravio."

There was a spultering noise that came from Warriors as Legend stood and walked off.

"Did you just say your husband is Ravio?!"

Chapter Text

Sky knelt by the statue, hands clasped together. He mouthed silent words, something only for him and her.

Not everyone in the chain was particulary religious. Time was an athiest and Twilight worshipped other Gods all together. Sometimes he’d see Wild pray at the shrines deticated to Hylia, and Hyrule still offered his thanks even though he didn’t believe.

Sky was probably the closest to the goddess out of anyone. Was that because he was also dating Hylia-made-mortal? Maybe. But he didn’t find the faults in the goddess that others did.

Overtime it was expected for people to turn bitter. To turn away. But all he was at the start of history, when she did what she could to save her people. He wasn’t told stories of her mistakes, because in his time, there were none.

Sometimes he felt some resentment towards Hylia. But that was all a part of faith. And when her golden light washed over him, like comforting a child, it was a promise.

That she would try to save her hero, like she had with him.

Chapter Text

Wild wasn't afraid of the dark. He had fought monsters, and magic, and seen all sorts of things. The dark was something natural, when the sun faded over the hills. It wasn't something to fear.

-

Wild shuffled closer to Twilight, trying to absorb some of his natural warmth. Outside of the cave they were forced to set up in, rain poured down. Water seeped into the entrance, and the wind howled with the ferociousness of wolves.

Somewhere nearby, though not visible, water fell in unsteady drips. 

one... two... drip! one... two... three... fo- drip! one... drip!  

Over and over again. The stone ground beneath him was cold to the touch. Were the walls closer than before? That wasn't right. Wild's breathing became shallow, and he couldn't seem to get enough oxygen into his lungs. It was so, so dark.

The light glow from the sheika slate that rested on his hip wasn't helping. It illuminated his shaking hands, bringing back memories of- no. Don't think about that.

His ears twitched towards every sound. It was too quiet. Almost like he was alone. Alone, in glowing waters that covered him arms, his chest, his chin-

-

Wild wasn't afraid of the dark. Right?

Chapter Text

Don’t get him wrong, enhanced senses were very useful. They helped Twilight to track, search, observe, and all kinds of other stuff. The problem was that sometimes they were a little too good. When every sound made him want to scream, when he was hyper-aware of every feeling on his body, when someone would make a loud noise and it would-

“Ha!” Wind cheered, clapping mockingly at Legend. He had just won whatever game the pair had been playing. Twilight sucked in a breath at the sound, hands flinching to his ears. Was it really necessary for the sailor to be so loud?

Someone else shouted something, oblivious to Twilight’s current predicament. Something hot burned in his chest. Could they just stop?? He stood quickly, with nothing in mind except to get away from here. As he made his way into the trees that surrounded their campsite, someone called out his name, which he ignored. Goddesses, even the sound of twigs and leaves crunching under his boots was unpleasant.

By the time he stopped walking, Twilight was far away from camp. He took a breath to calm himself down, his racing thoughts slowing. The natural sounds around him were soft, slow, and peaceful. Maybe that was all he needed. Just a break from the others, to refocus himself.

If Time found him asleep, leaning on a tree with all sorts of wild life sneaking close to cuddle, no he didn't.

Chapter Text

Wind opened his eyes to darkness, the echoes of bad memories still hanging around his head. As his vision slowly ajusted to the night, he rolled over to see the dying flames of the campfire. The silhouette of Sky sat next to it, humming something quietly as he made another wooden carving, taking peices off with a knife in a hypnotic rhythm.

“Sky?” He called out.

The older hero stopped and turned his head to work out who was speaking to him.

“Wind?” He asked softly. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. No, everything’s fine. Sorry for bothering you.”

Sky sighed, putting down his carving. Making his way over to Wind’s bedroll, he knelt beside the young sailor. Wind sniffled, though he tried to hide it, and Sky ran a comforting hand through his hair. “Go back to sleep bub. It’s okay.”

The boy’s eyes drooped, the pull of sleep becoming too strong. “Don’ leave me.” He mumbled.

Sky continued to run his hand through Wind’s hair as the younger one drifted off. “I’m right here.” He promised.

Chapter Text

"Hey Sky?"

"Yeah Four?"

"What do you think happens after?"

Sky paused from where he was weaving a flower crown, looking up. "After what?"

Four shrugged, paused, and then shook his head. "Nevermind."

The skyloftian just tilted his head to the side in question, catching Four's gaze when he looked up. The smithy sighed in return, setting down the flower that he had been quietly picking the petals from. "After we die." He said.

It was a heavy question, though not strange, especially with what they did. They were fighting all their lives, and had been close to death so many times that you had to wonder.

The light breeze blew strands of Four’s hair into his face, and Sky gently tucked it behind his ear again. "I know different people, with different beliefs." He said. "Some people think we wander the earth, to watch our families grow up. Some people think we're reborn as animals. I know some who believe in a place we go, and we can live in peace for eternity with the Goddess."

Four looked away. "But what about us? The hero's spirit. I've been told that it's reincarnation. Does that mean we never-" He cut himself off. Sky reached out, beckoning, and pulled Four into a hug. He hid his face, before finishing. "Does that mean we never get a happy ending?"

Sky just held him closer, thinking over his answer. When he stayed silent, Four raised his head from Sky's shoulder. The chosen hero sighed, before looking at Four with an look the younger one couldn't quite read.

"I believe that theres a place for us." He said, looking out across the feild with a wistful expression. "A place where we will go, where it's never dark. It will be a paradise of sorts, where we don't have to worry about anything."

"How do you know it's real?"

"I don't." Sky replied with a small shrug. "But that's okay. Because I believe. I believe that there is something for us after all of this."

He pulled Four back into a hug. "And I believe that we will get our happy endings."

Chapter Text

"I am not child!"

Wind crosses his arms, glaring at Warriors. In return, the captain pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a sharp breath.

"I wasn't trying to say that." He stresses. "I was just..."

"You were what." Wind demands, looking around. "You all treat me like I'm a little kid and-"

Time cuts him off. "Is that really such a bad thing?"

When the sailor goes to reply, Time holds up a hand. "We aren't saying you're incapable." He says. "But we'd rather you get the chance to live a happy child hood. You have to remember that alot of us didn't get that."

There were a couple of solemn nods, and Wind looked down. "Sorry. I just want... I want to be like you guys."

Warriors places a hand on the youngest Link's shoulder. "You are a hero, Wind. You're just as good, if not better, than some of us. But you're also young. Don't let it get away from you."

Wind looks up with a small smile and nods. "Okay."

Chapter Text

"Wild, what the hell is this."

The champion grinned, eyes bright. That was almost always a sign he was about to cause trouble.

"Guys, meet the Master Cycle Zero!" He announced, arms spread wide. The other Links stared at the horse-like thing. It stood on two wheels, and had a long horn at the front.

"What is it?"

Wild rolled his eyes. "My divine beast of course! It's like a horse, but it's technology instead. Wanna try it?"

Wind volunteered instantly, and (to the concern of the 'adult' heroes) hopped on the Master Cycle. Wild happily instructed him how to drive it.

At first it jolted forward an inch, and then again. The sailor stuck his tounge out, the way he did when he was concentrating relly hard. "That's it!" Wild encouraged. It seemed that Wind got the hang of it, as he started driving smoother than before.

Maybe the Master Cycle Zero wasn't so bad? It didn't seem like-

"Ah!" Wind let out a startled shout as he suddenly sped off, over the hills.

There was a beat of silence as they all stared in the direction he went in.

"Well f-"

[BONUS SCENE, UNRELATED]

His footsteps echoed with each step he took across the cold, stone floor. Darkness stretched for miles, never ending.

On,

And on,

And on,

"Why do you fight, hero?"

The voice was everywhere and nowhere. Infinite and nothingness. It was the same in the way a mortal was to a God, like how Royal was to a peasant. Its words felt like a spool of thread coming together to create a shining gown, and then being ripped mercilessly apart by a tailors shears.

"Who said that?"

The voice tilted its head to the side, observing.

"Why do you fight?"

The hero swung his sword, a centuries old blade with a silent soul. It met nothing but air.

"What drives you?"

Chapter Text

Link burned. Burned with an anger that only sparked hotter as the monster infront of his laughed. As his efforts did nothing. As he watched his her being swung like a ragdoll, and him, hanging bloody and bruised.

The beast’s eyes narrowed as it watched its own blood fall into the waters at their feet. “Unforgivable.” It said. “Runt.” It called him, staring down at him like he was nothing more than a bug. 

Hands grabbed at his arms, his body, his hair, forcing him down. The sullied water soaked through his clothes as he struggled. All it did was cause their grip to tighten, for claws to did further into his skin. There was a laugh, then a blinding pain. And blood, so much blood.

“Foolish.”

“Stupid.”

“Ignorant.”

And then there was water. Water that rushed through his mouth and nose, choking him, strangling him. Killing him. Link was drowning, because he was too arrogant, too weak. He couldn’t breathe, fuck-

He couldn’t see anything but blood red water, no-

He thought he could save them, but he couldn’t-

-

Twilight woke coughing and choking. Someone rubbed his back as he gasped for air, clutching his shoulder.

“Breathe, Link. It was just a dream.”

He tried to copy their exagerated actions, but he was drowning.

“Good. Now do it again.”

He shuddered, the bloody memory burned into the back of his mind.

“It’s okay. You’re safe.”

He held back a cry as the phantom pain caused him to screw his eyes shut.

“Breathe.”

He did.

Chapter Text

"Captain!" Warriors looked up from where he was cleaning his sword to get a faceful of Wind panicking. His eyes were wide and he was waving his hands in the direction behind him as he fumbled over his words.

"I don't know what happened!" He gasped. "One minute we were talking and then he wasn't replying so I thought it was a joke but something is really wrong and I don't-"

Wars cut him off by putting his hands on the sailors shoulders, coutning him through exagerated breaths. "Breathe." He said. When Wind seemed calm enough to talk, he asked his question. "Now can you tell me what's going on?"

"Something happened to Wild."

Wind dragged him over to the champion, who sat where Wind had left him. He was staring out at nothing, oblivious to their presence.

"Wild?" Warriors tried, waving a hand infront of his face. When the boy didn't even blink, he frowned. "Wind, go get the others for me."

Twilight and Hyrule were the closest, and the first to arrive. When they reached Warriors and Wild, the captain was busy making sure he was still breathing.

Twilight put a hand on Warriors' shoulder. "He's okay. There's not much you can do unfourtunately."

"You know what this is?"

Twilight nodded, shifting Wild into a position that wouldn't leave him with an aching back. "Remember how he has amnesia?" He asked. "Sometimes certain things trigger... memories. He'll completely zone out for a while, but as long as we aren't in a dangerous situation it should be okay."

Wind shuffled anxiously. "You're sure?" He asked.

Twilight smiled at him reassuringly. "Positive. You want to get his slate for me so he has something familiar when he wakes up?"

Wind nodded, darting off. It would be okay, but now he wondered what the memory was about. The pair had been talking about his sister, Aryll, when Wild had fallen into that state.

He grabbed the sheika slate and began to walk back. That was a question for another time.

Chapter Text

Sky swung his sword with a yell, a steped back as the monster kneeled over. The deep wound in its chest ensured it wouldn’t be getting up again. Now that the last monster was dead, the corpses around him started disappearing in poofs of acrid smoke.

The others were spread out around the area, picking themselves up and checking for injuries. To his left, someone was still kneeling in a pool of black blood.

“Twilight?”

When the rancher didn’t reply, Sky frowned. He walked over, reaching out a hand.

“Twi-“

His words got cut off as Twilight suddenly stood, spinnning around with a low growl. Oh. His head was still in the fight. Sky dropped his hand holding the Master Sword so that he wouldn’t be viewed as a threat, while putting his other hand up in a gesture of peace. When Twilight's gaze cleared, and his expression softened, Sky reached out and took his hands in his own, ignoring how they were coated in blood.

"It's over." He reassured. Twilight looked down like he was only just noticing the muck on himself.

"There's something wrong with me." The statement was spoken so quietly Sky nearly missed it.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Twilight swallowed. "Sometimes... sometimes I forget that I'm Hylian. The wolf instincts take over. I don't-"

"Link." The use of their shared name caused the other to look up at him. Sky shook his head. "There is nothing wrong. I promise you."

Twilight let out a strangled laugh. When he tried to pull his hands away the Skyloftian held on tight. "I think I'm loosing my mind, Sky! I'm starting to think that I'm fucking insane-"

Sky let go of his hands to move them to Twilight's face instead. "You," he stressed, "are not insane. You are my brother, and there is nothing wrong with you. You hear me?" 

There was beat of silence where bright blue eyes looked into softer ones, like he was searching for any hint of a lie. Then a nod. Sky wrapped his arms around Twilight, burying his face into the crook of the taller ones shoulder.

"Lets go back to the others so you can clean yourself up."

"Okay."

Chapter Text

Warriors was used to strict schedules. He was used to people with higher titles looking down at him. He was used to long nights of paperwork and planning.

Warriors was not used to the Chain.

Not to say that’s a bad thing of course. He loves every part of them, and the unique traits they each bring to their makeshift family. But he wasn’t used to them in the way that Sky laughed and Twilight teased and Hyrule helped.

He wasn’t used to the way that they all made him feel like a part of something. Something bigger than the Gods could create, but at the same time something so small and intimate.

And when Wild walked by humming a song taught to him by Time, and Four bantered with Legend, Warriors knew he found something really special.

He tried to turn his head as fingers grabbed his cheeks from behind, pulling them outwards.

“Wind.” He spluttered, thoughts all but forgotten. “What are you doing.”

The sailor popped his head over Warriors’ shoulder. “You frown too much.”

Warriors laughed. “I was thinking.”

Wind just rolled his eyes as he walked passed him. “Well you should stop thinking and come join us.”

That sounds nice.

“Alright, alright. I’m coming.”

Chapter Text

The Chain were a group of teens and young adults. Also, wherever Time fit. With them, it meant that it was always loud, whether it be arguing or laughter or music. There was always some kind of sound.

So when Sky trudged up the hill from the river to where they had made their camp, he knew something was off. He hadn’t been able to place it straight away. There was just a nagging feeling, an instinct. Then he heard it. Well, more like what he didn't hear.

The wildlife had gone silent. Even the wind had stilled. And his brothers? He coulnd't hear anything from them.

Sky was quick to run back to the camp, and he found was belongings strewn across the ground, as well as concerning dark patches on the grass that looked like blood.

"Hello?" He called, though he didn't except a reply. He didn't get one anyway. They were gone.

Chapter Text

Legend sucked in a breath, ready to collapse. His hands trembled with exhaustion, the sudden lack of adrenaline leaving him swaying.

"Vet? Are you okay?"

Legend gave a weary smile to Hyrule. "All good." He replied, waving the younger hero on. Hyrule nodded, moving away to check up on everyone else. The veteran vaugley remembered getting hit in the fight, but his tired mind shooed the thoughts away. He was fine, if anything there would be a few bruises. It's not like he was hurting, really.

With a sigh, he looked around at their now-trashed campsite. Their belongings had been scattered at one point, leaving jewellery glinting in the fading sun. That was a problem. Despite his body protesting, Legend moved to pick up his fallen items. It wouldn't be any good if one of the more... chaotic members of the Chain got their hands on it, or some other person entirely.

As he bent over to pick up a ring in the grass, the world tilted. Legend stumbled, trying to regain his balance as his unsteady feet couldn't find perchase on the ground.

Steady arms grabbed his waist and he slumped towards the person gratefully. Everyone’s voices sounded so distant…

“There’s blood on his tunic.”

“Legend?”

“Someone help me!”

Chapter Text

“Oh yeah, he-“

“He’s over there-“

“I need to ask him-“

Four had some of the shortest ears out of the Chain, only second to Sky. The longest would definitely go to Twilight or Wild, but that’s not really related right now.

Four was thinking about ears, because the others were very expressive. For example, Legend’s ears were currently pinned against his head as he argued with Warriors.

If his ears were as expressive as theirs, they would definitely point down whenever someone talked to-or about-Four.

Why? Well, good thing you asked.

Ever since Four had first spilt using the Four Sword, something had felt off. Well, more off than usual. It was like the weird feelings that had been buried deep had suddenly been brought to the surface to torment him again. Ugh, him . That was the problem.

Four was a boy. He was born a boy, and had always been a boy. But sometimes he’d see the pretty skirts that the girls in his village would wear, or the bright colours that made him happy, and his head would hurt trying to think about the implications of his feelings.

When Vio had quietly confessed that she was not a boy, but actually a girl, Four was confused.

When Red told them that they were neither a boy nor a girl, but rather something in between, Four was still confused.

When the colours had merged together again, Four was the most confused he had ever been.

The colours were parts that made up the whole him. How could one be a girl, another a boy, and another neither?

Did that make him half a boy? Why did he feel this way? Was it even a thing, or was something… was something wrong with him?

Four didn’t know, so he pushed it down. There was no need to worry about any of it.

Then of course, the Chain came along. More specifically, Wild and Legend.

When the group of Links had first met, Wild had explained how he wasn’t always a boy. He showed the earrings he wore, and what certain ones meant, teaching them all on what gender he went by on different days.

After they had all been together for a while, Legend stood up at the campfire and explained that he used mirror pronouns.

Everyone was fine with both of these things, but it left Four thinking. If others were different genders sometimes, what about him?

Four went up to Wild first, who looked up, ruby earrings flashing in the sunlight. “Hey Four.” She greeted. “What’s up?”

Four took a breath. “How did you know you were gender fluid?”

Chapter Text

Wild tipped his face up towards the sky, the light rain making him smile. There was something special about being outside like this, when nature got to show you that it was more than dead or alive. It reminded you that it was real .

When he opened his eyes, there was a strip of colour that stood out against the cloudy sky.

The rainbow glistened merrily, like a bridge made by the goddesses. Why they happened, he wasn’t quite sure. Flora had mentioned something about the light being bent through the raindrops once. Whatever it was, it was his favourite thing about sun showers.

As Wild quietly contemplated the rainbow, Legend walked by. The Vet followed his gaze to the sky and squinted. “That’s me.” He said with a blank face, before walking away.

The end.

Chapter Text

“Meow.”

Twilight knelt down and stuck out his hand as a tabby cat sauntered up to him. The cat stuck its face in his outstretched hand, purring. Behind Twilight, Legend sighed.

“Do you have to pat every single one of those?”

“Yes.”

The pink haired hero waited. “That’s it? Just ‘yes’?”

“Well what do you want me to say?”

Legend looked around at the people who went about their business in castle town. “What’s your obsession with those things anyway?”

Twilight scoffed. “C’mere.” He replied, with a gesture backwards. When Legend didn’t reply, Twilight grabbed his hand. Unfortunately for Legend, the rancher had a strong grip from all the years he spent doing farm work, leaving him unable to pull away.

“No.” He demanded. “Oh no no. Twilight-“

His protests were cut off by his hand petting the soft fur of the cat. “Oh.” He said quietly. The cat purred, stretching out so it could direct Legend to where it wanted to be pet. “I suppose it’s kind of nice.”

Chapter Text

Wild lay back in the soft grass, staring up into the dark night. He stretch his hand up, slowly rotating his wrist as if he could stir the stars. Ha. What about that, a star soup.

“Sky?”

“Hm?”

“What do people in your time think about stars?”

Sky opened his eyes, looking up at the twinkling lights above them. “Well we believe that each star is one of our ancestors. They watch over us, and when we die then we’ll go up there and join them.”

Wild moved his hand so it was resting under his head. “Isn’t that a bit sad? They're so far away, you know.”

Sky hummed. “When we love someone.” He replied, “They’re always be there. Even when we can’t see them, they never leave.”

Wild turned his head to look over. “Never?”

Sky rolled onto his side so he could face Wild and gave the champion a small smile.

“Never.”