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Izuku trekked across familiar lands, once more on child’s legs. He’d done it. He’d defeated Ganondorf in the future and present, rescued Termina, fulfilled every vow, every obligation, and every promise. All but one.
A final promise had been made to an old friend. Or maybe she was something else.
Izuku arrived at the waterfall at the end of Zora’s River. The entrance to the Zora’s Domain. Taking a deep breath, Izuku pulled out his ocarina and played Ochako’s Lullaby.
The waterfall split in two, allowing Izuku to leap into the once concealed tunnel. He entered and walked to the nearest pair of guards he could find. In his strongest voice, Izuku declared, “I-I am here to see Princess Mina!”
The guards exchanged glances. “Who are you?”
“I-I am Izuku! Tell Mina I am here to dance with her!”
The two looked incredulous. “Seriously? This kid thinks he can just dance with the princess?” one muttered.
The other said, “But didn’t they say something about a betrothal?”
“To this kid? Seriously? Still, I’d better go pass it on. Might as well get orders on what to do.”
The guard left, leaving his companion with. Izuku stood there and waited, fidgeting with his gear as he tried to stay composed for the remaining guard.
He heard small footsteps approaching at full sprint. Izuku looked up just as something crashed into him, sending him to the ground. Izuku was just about to throw his assailant off when she squealed, “ Izu! ”
Izuku froze. “Mina?”
Princess Mina pinned him to the ground with a radiant smile. “I knew you’d come! I just knew it! Dad said you’d never return, but I told him you would! Did you save the world?”
Izuku’s mouth couldn’t form words, so he just nodded. Mina got up, yanking him to his feet. “Come on! There isn’t a party like last time, so it’ll just be you and me. But, that’ll still be fun right?”
Honestly, Izuku preferred it that way. He managed to nod as she pulled him along, feeling thoroughly overwhelmed by her energy. They got to a wide open dance floor, the same as before. Mina let go of Izuku’s arm and stood in front of him, shuffling on her feet while looking downright bashful.
“So…my engaged had something he wanted to ask me?” she said, while dramatically batting her lashes.
Izuku’s heart beat faster. He knew her future self was beautiful, but he really hadn’t noticed how pretty her current self was until now. “R-right!” he squeaked out.
Izuku straightened himself. Then, with a bit of a flourish (as Ochako taught), Izuku extended his hand and said, “Princess Mina, may I have this dance?”
Mina giggled, causing him to wilt a bit. “My, my. Aren’t you a gentleman?” She stepped toward him and then, with feigned modesty, looked away and placed her own hand in his. “You may,” she said, looking at him with a smile.
The two then began their dance, with Izuku hesitantly taking the first step only for Mina to leap into it. Izuku tried to keep up with Mina, using every bit of skill from his dance lessons, and battle experience. However, he was just no match for her. Mina moved with such grace and skill that Izuku momentarily forgot his own nervousness. Soon enough, he was actually having…fun.
“Haven’t stepped on my foot once. You have gotten better,” Mina said, getting into his personal space with a bright smile. This time, it brought a smile to his face.
“Thanks! Ochako taught me!” Izuku said.
However, at that statement, Mina’s smile faded. She quickly smiled again, but this one looked strained, giving Izuku the slightest hint of dread.
“Ochako? And who might that be?”
“She’s the Princess of Hyrule!” Izuku said, brushing aside his worries. “We became friends after I helped her and her father stop Ganondorf before he could do any of the things he did in the future.”
“Future?”
“Yeah, I visited a future where he won and had to stop him there. I even met you.” His smile faded at the memory of Mina’s future. She became a sage, leaving her mortal life (and him) behind to help stop Ganondorf. He didn’t want his time with this Mina to end the same way.
Izuku continued, “We stopped him there, then I came back and stopped him here. I can tell you later.”
“I’d like that,” Mina said. Then she added in an odd tone, “You and Ochako must be great friends.” Izuku frowned. She almost sounded like she was probing for something.
“She is,” Izuku said. “You should meet her. She’s kind, smart, and almost as pretty as you!”
Mina’s smile grew strained. But there was a flicker of hope. “Almost?”
“Yeah. I told her about you and asked her to teach me to dance before I came back.” When he asked, Ochako looked at him kind of like how Mina was now.
Mina’s smile softened, as whatever was bothering her vanished. “You did all that just for me? I will have to meet this Ochako and thank her. Glad you still remembered me after saving the world.”
“How could I forget?” Izuku said. “I promised.” It was the promise he most wanted to keep.
“Close enough,” Mina said in a sing-song tone. “As long as your future involves me .”
Izuku blushed. “I-I hope so.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. But if I do leave for more quests I’ll always come back to see you!”
Mina sighed. “I suppose I can’t blame you. You must have seen some wondrous things.”
“I mean, I can show you. If you ever want to come?”
Mina’s eyes widened. She let go of hands and twirled across the dance floor before coming right back, her feet briefly leaving the ground. Izuku was so amazed by the sight he barely had time to catch her.
“Yes. I would love to!” she said, beaming. “Just don’t tell Dad.”
“Don’t tell Dad what?” a voice boomed across the room.
Izuku let go of Mina, shoving her behind him as he drew his sword to fight this new threat. To his embarrassment, it was the Zora King. Mina’s father. The King glowered down at Izuku from across the room, his arms folded in disapproval.
Izuku sheepishly sheathed his sword while Mina bounded forward. “Dad! Izu’s back! I told you he wouldn’t just ditch me! My betrothed is a noble hero, not some deadbeat lout!” She turned up her nose on the last part, giving him the smuggest of grins.
Izuku nervously gave a small smile and wave, as if to support Mina’s comment.
“I can see that,” the King said, slowly circling Izuku. “Why have you returned, young warrior?”
“B-because I promised Mina I’d save her a future dance! I’m here to give that to her!”
“See?” Mina said, “He came all this way after his long and arduous quest to fulfill his word! He is worthy!” Mina folded her arms. “Who knows? I might even go on a quest with him sometime.”
The King seemed even more displeased with that. He turned to Izuku. “And what would you do if she did join you.”
“Make sure she returns safe and sound?” Izuku said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“You mean that?”
“With my life.”
The King didn’t seem happy. Nevertheless, he said, “Very well. We will discuss everything later. For now, you and my daughter may continue.”
“Yes!” Mina hugged her dad. “Thank you thank you thank you!” she said.
Her father patted her head. “Of course daughter. Anything for your happiness,” he said in an exasperated tone. He walked off, ushering away the gathering onlookers so the kids would be alone.
Mina turned back to Izuku. Her smile made his heart flutter. “So Izu,” she said, holding out her hand. “I believe we were in the middle of a dance?”
Izuku slowly took her hand and led her in the dance. Soon he forgot his nervousness, the many weights he’d carried, and his worries about the future. So many hard things had happened since last time. He’d learned his origins, lost friends, seen destruction, had his heart briefly broken.
But here, now, everything finally felt right. He’d figure out what he was going to do tomorrow. For now, he just wanted to stay here and have fun with Mina.