Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Captain Link of the Hyrulean royal guard was summoned back to the palace after two straight weeks of slaying mysteriously strong black-blooded monsters, the first thing he planned on doing was telling Zelda to stop talking and then take a nice hot shower. He did not, however, anticipate seven more wielders of the Triforce of Courage (one of whom was looking very familiar) waiting for him in the throne room.

“Holy shit! I knew it!” the pirate barreled into him. “I knew as soon as this whole journey thing started that I was gonna meet you again!”

“Wait, Sailor, what- how-” Link stammered. Zelda cleared her throat and the pirate released Link from his embrace.

“Captain, I know you just got back but it would seem that the issue we have been dealing with spans across the timelines. Again. It seems that this time, the goddess Hylia saw fit to assemble a team consisting of every hero in a known era.”

“This doesn’t have anything to do with the sorceress again, does it?” he winced.

“Sorceress?” the hero not wearing pants- dear Hylia why did he think that's a good idea- had spoken up.

“Yeah, I told you guys about this, vet! The captain and I fought a sorceress that could travel through time!” The sailor had answered with his signature enthusiasm.

“Thankfully, from what I have been told, this doesn't look like it's her work. Although it's concerning that it's something bigger.” Link turned to the other seven heroes.

“Black-blooded monsters showed up in your eras as well?”

“Yeah,” the hero donning a fur pelt responded with a slight country drawl, “although they headed for most isolated villages rather than bustling places like this.”

“We ran into one on the way here though. Time should be finishing it off by now,” the scarred hero added.

“Time?”

“Oh right! Since we’re all named Link, the master sword gave us names based on the era we’re from,” the sailor explained.

“Wait, pirate, Time’s who I’m thinking of right?” Wind nodded eagerly, “Why the hell is he fighting one of those monsters alone?” The hero in the wolf pelt stared at him in confusion.

“Time can handle himself just fine, Captain.” Link turned to the pirate for an explanation and was met with a shit eating grin.

“Alright, you all are welcome to stay as long as needed.” Zelda announced, “Captain, go freshen up then you can continue your chat.”

“So since you’ve had some experience in traveling across eras, I have convinced everyone to let you guess who’s from what era!” the pirate declared. The seven heroes were currently relaxing in one of the spacious bedrooms the queen had provided them.

“We have ten rupees on the table that you miss at least one of us,” the pantless hero smirked.

“I still think its a sucker’s bet,” the short hero muttered.

“Alright, lets see here,” Link stared at the seven heroes. “Easiest one first, the pirate. From the era of the winds.”

“That’s one!” Wind smiled.

“Plus you guys gave me one earlier; the hero of time, who’s still not here?”

“He’ll be coming in a few minutes, he’s getting that black blood off his armor,” the hero with the master sword answered.

“That’s- why do you have the master sword?!”

“Nope!” Wind covered his fellow hero’s mouth before he could answer “If you say anything, you’ll give yourself away.”

“Making it hard for me, pirate,” the Captain smirked. “But I’m going to guess the swords with you either because you’re the most recent hero to wield it or the first hero to wield it.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny.”

“Wow, Looks like you’re gonna have to pay up early, Wind,” the pantless hero chuckled.

“And what era are you from? The era of bad fashion choices?” Wind and three other heroes burst out laughing much to the pantless hero’s ire.

“It beats the era of pompous assholes any other day of the week.” The two of them were glaring at each other, about ready to fight, before someone stepped in.

“You guys are getting off track,” the hero with the wolf pelt interrupted.

“Hey…” Link narrowed his eyes at him, “I’ve seen similar marks before…” Then the familiarity of the man’s markings clicked. “You’re from the era of twilight aren't you?” Twilight smiled at him, revealing a small peak of his fangs.

“Guilty as charged. We tend to go by our hero titles which kinda match this whole era thing, so call me Twilight.“

“When the game’s over, we’ll find out which hero title the master sword gives you.”

“Looks like you might have to pay up, Legend” Wind declared triumphantly.

“Well yeah if you keep giving them to him.” the pantless hero, now dubbed Legend, scowled.

“Dammit!”

“Era of legends. Wouldn’t have guessed it, honestly. How’s Ravio by the way?”

“Thanks a lot sailor,” he whipped around to face Link, “Wait, how do you know Ravio?!”

“If it makes you feel better, there’s no way he’ll guess- oomph!” Twilight covered Wind’s mouth.

“He won’t be able to if you try to give them all to him.”

“Careful Twi,” the shortest hero spoke up, “otherwise-” he was interrupted as Twilight yelped and pulled his hand away. “He’ll bite.” Link pinched the bridge of his nose but did nothing to hide the smile on his face.

“I will forever blame that gremlin for showing you that.”

“Now to be fair, the sailor has always been capable of biting, I just told him to use it to his advantage.” Link turned to see a one-eyed man standing in the doorway. Markings matching The Fierce Deity's mask covered his face and he donned no armor at the moment. He was smiling fondly at the scene in front of him. Link’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at the sight of the older man.

“Holy shit.”

“That’s exactly what I said when I saw him too,” Wind stage whispered, “Went from the youngest gremlin to a grumpy old man.”

“I heard that.”

“I wasn’t trying to hide it.”

“I had no idea that he was just as feral as you and the champion,” Twilight told Wind before turning to Link, “You’re gonna have to tell me some stories later on.”

“The champion?” Link questioned. The scarred hero raised his hand.

“That’s me! But champion isn’t actually my name. It’s more of a title, like how you’re a captain,” he smiled at him. “So you still have to guess.”

“Okay, but before I forget, I just figured out who you are, Mr. master sword user. You’re from the era of the sky. I saw the loftwing on your cloak.”

“I probably should have taken this off beforehand,” Sky sighed. “Oh well… I go by Sky. Nice to meet you!”

“So who has the captain guessed so far?” Time asked.

“Me, you, Twilight, Legend-”

“Because you told him-” Legend scowled.

“-And now Sky,” Wind finished. Time nodded in acknowledgment.

“Would you like a hint, Captain?”

“Thanks, Old Man but I’ve got this.” A few of the other heroes chuckled at the nickname while Time sighed in exasperation.

“Told you the name comes naturally to us, Old Man,” The champion smirked. Time responded by rolling his eye.

“So, Captain, any guesses on the shorty?” Legend questioned.

“The only thing anyone will be guessing after this is the location of your body after this,” the hero in question scowled. “Because they will never find it.” Wind was muffling his laughter.

“No murdering each other, please,” Time ordered them, “Do that when we aren’t on a quest.”

“Let's see…” Link mused, “There are four colors on your tunic so does that represent four different adventures or wait-” Link got out of his spot and went over to the hero to get a closer look. “Oh, that’s the Four Sword, isn’t it? I had no idea it existed so does it-”

“It doesn’t work anymore so moving on,” he quickly interrupted, “But yeah, I go by Four.”

“Wow, he only has the champion and the traveler left. Impressive,” Sky spoke up. Link looked at the two of them intently.

“Hm… would you mind if I asked you both a question about your adventures?” Link asked.

“Sure.”

“Go for it.”

“Did either of you learn to use magic?”

“Nope,” the champion answered, “closest I’ve got is technology, which everyone else here considered to be witchcraft.”

“Because it is,” Twilight muttered. The champion shot him a look, but there was no malice behind it.

“I did learn magic,” the traveler answered, “Just a few basic spells to get me through my adventures though, so I’m no mage.”

“But only one hero is said to have mastery over magic, using what he’s learned from his predecessor, the hero of Legend, and what he’s learned from journeying to other kingdoms, isn’t that right, hero of Hyrule?”

“Damn he got Roolie,” Wind mumbled. Hyrule was staring at Link with wide, excited eyes.

“I achieve mastery over it?”

“Always said you would, Rule,” Legend patted him on the back.

“Good for you, now everyone can call you the witch instead of me,” the champion laughed.

“Hey!”

“You’re the only one left, champion,” Wind exclaimed.

“The hardest one too,” Twilight mumbled to Time, who nodded in agreement. Link stared at the champion intently.

“To be fair,” Hyrule whispered to Legend, “If the timelines are right then this is before Wild’s era.”

“Why do you think I took the bet in the first place?” the veteran whispered back, “There’s no way the Captain will get him unless Wind or the Old Man give him a hint.”

“Well, if it helps, I joined up right before we got here,” the champion piped up. Link stared at Wild, his curiosity piqued.

“You carry yourself like a knight…” Link mused.

“I was one; the princess’s appointed knight to be specific. But now I just travel around Hyrule.”

“And the princess?”

“Well, after we defeated Ganon, she finally went to study under our former royal scientist and now she’s working on improving sheikah technology.” Time and Wind watched the exchange in interest.

“You mentioned this technology earlier.”

“Still think its witchcraft,” Twilight muttered under his breath. The champion stuck his tongue out in response.

“Ignoring the rancher, did you want to see some sheikah tech?” Wild asked.

“Doesn’t introducing technology from different times into another time screw up the flow of events?” Hyrule piped up.

“This is the first experience I’ve had with time travel, so maybe ask someone more familiar with it,” Sky answered. Hyrule glanced at Time, who shrugged in response.

“You do know I’m from the same timeline as Twilight, just earlier on right? If he hasn’t seen technology this advanced, there’s no way I would know what introducing it in a previous time period would do.” Link turned toward Time in bewilderment.

“Previous time period?” He echoed.

“Damnit Time…” Legend mourned his lost rupees.

“Captain!” a soldier barreled into the bedroom. Three different hands went for their swords. “Apologies for the intrusion!”

“It’s alright,” Link answered, “What’s the issue?”

“A horde has been spotted in the forests near the castle!” Wind muttered a curse colorful enough to cause Twilight to smack him over the head. Time got up from his spot, bones cracking at the movement.

“Looks like you’ve gotten stiff, old man,” Link teased. “I hope you’re not out of practice on the battlefield.”

“Looks like you’ll get to find out. Get ready everyone.” As the heroes began preparing themselves to fight, Sky and Wild approached Link.

“Since our game got interrupted, I’ll just tell you,” Wild smiled, “I’m from the era of the wild, which comes after this time on the timeline. So call me Wild.” Link stared at Wild in bewilderment.

“You’re from our future?” Wild nodded.

“Yeah, although now it’s not as bustling as here.”

“Why? I’d think that the future would mean the population expanded; not decreased.” The champion avoided Link’s eyes’ but was saved from answering by Wind barreling into Link.

“Come on, captain, we gotta go!” Wind sighed. “Wait, are we still calling you captain or?”

“Here,” Sky handed him the master sword, “Fi will tell you your title.”

“Fi’s in here?!”

“You know Fi?!” Sky’s jaw dropped.

“Less chit chat more grabbing your stuff and going,” Legend hollered. “Also pay up Wind, they told him who Wild is.”

“Dammit!” Link chuckled to himself before the master sword began to chime.

Hello again, Link. Hero of Warriors.

Chapter Text

“Why is it always fucking keese?” Legend growled out as he batted away a swarm of them with his shield.

“Want to trade?” Four shot back, “You can take the beamos if you’re complaining.” The smith was reflecting the beams using his sword, one of which hit the bulbin Twilight was wrestling to the ground.

“You cheaters!” the bulbin roared, his horn smoking.

“I didn’t do anything,” Twilight smirked, “that was just an outside factor.” As the two of them continued to grapple, Time and Sky were back to back; a group of bokoblins closing in around them.

“Get ready to dodge, Time,” Sky spoke up as his whip wrapped around one of the bokoblins. Time nodded and ducked just as the skyloftian sent the bokoblin sailing over his head and into the rest of his brethren.

“Nice swing,” Time commented as he sliced through a stray bokoblin. Black blood oozed from the monster, causing the ground beneath its corpse to burn away. “They’re infected!”

“Of course they are,” Legend muttered sarcastically. The keese closed in on the veteran, forming a small cluster and pushing him back. But before they could get close enough, they were electrocuted. The veteran turned to see Hyrule nearby, his hand outstretched. “Thanks, Rule.” The traveler nodded in acknowledgment before turning to face the lizalfos that thought it could sneak up on him.

“Get. Out. Of. The. Fucking. Sky!” Wind barked in frustration at the aeralfos that kept diving at him. The avian monsters squawked in delight at the sailor's anger.

“Wind, where’s your bow?” Wild hollered from where he had struck down a trio of chuchus, which were slowly being followed by a horde of wizzrobes. The champion rolled out of the way of the wizzrobes ice attacks and landed near the sailor.

“I haven’t restrung it after using it to choke out a moblin,” He answered. “Any ideas? I am open to suggestions that get those motherfuckers on the ground,” the sailor caught his boomerang, the aeralfos dodging the weapon with as much grace as a monster could muster.

“Why bring them down when I could send you up to them and you can introduce them to my duplex bow,” Wild was smirking, which could only mean one thing.

“What do you want for the bow?”

Warriors wiped the splattered blood from his face before rushing forward to meet the Redeads head-on. He avoided their gaze (to avoid paralysis) and cut through their spines like they were made of butter rather than bone. The skeleton monsters screeched in agony before collapsing into a puddle of black ooze. His face scrunched up in disgust as the black blood bubbled up, melting into the ground. However, the captain wasn’t given much time to mull the thought before he found himself ducking from a ball of fire.

“They have fire?!” He exclaimed.

“Shit, sorry, Warriors,” Wild yelled from where he was dueling a trio of moblins using a fire rod. The fire burned one of the moblins to a crisp and was starting to creep along the trees.

“This guy’s insane!” Warriors said to himself. The champion parried the moblin’s claymore, sending the monster stumbling back, one claw on the weapon and the other trying to put out the fiery wisps on its shoulder. The captain watched as Wild slid underneath the moblin and swung the fire rod in a wide arc. The monster howled in pain as the flames consumed it. The final moblin was not happy at the murder of its brethren and swung at Wild with a club. The champion blocked the hit with the fire rod, using a hand on each end of the rod to support the momentum, causing him to burn his hands in the process. Wild flipped backwards, away from another swing, and inspected his hand. White tinged the edge of his vision. Goddesses please, not now! He mentally pleaded. Wild began putting distance between himself and the monster. At least be a short one. He swatted away a couple keese and created a fiery barrier to separate himself just in time as the memory pulled him in.

Warriors finished off the remaining skeletons just in time to see the fiery wall go up. He saw the last moblin screech and jumped through the fire towards the champion who was… Why in the three goddesses is he standing still?! The captain raced towards them. The moblin raised its club into the air and brought it down on Wild.

Warriors’ sword cut clean through the club before it touched him. The captain glanced behind him only to not find the champion there, and instead found himself moving out of the way of the monster’s corpse falling to the ground. He flashed a glare at Wild, who returned it with a confused look. The battle around them seemed to slow to a stop as the last of the monsters perished at the hands of Sky and Hyrule.

“Are you mad?!” Warriors turned to Wild as the rest of the group was recovering. “Not only do you set the place on fire while your comrades are still there but then you freeze up in front of the enemy?!” Realization dawned on the champion regarding the captain’s ire. He regained his composure and glared right back.

“I had it. Me freezing up is not your business.” A small melody echoed through the forest and rain clouds were soon gathering overhead.

“The hell you did! You nearly getting clobbered is totally having it. Great training there, soldier.”

“I’m not your soldier to command. Most commanders would check on the others rather than chew out someone for something that isn’t in their control,” Wild shoved past Warriors to where Twilight was. “Great training there, Captain.”

“And the fire? Do you destroy every battlefield you set foot on?” The captain followed Wild. Twilight and Legend stared at the both of them in confusion.

“Hey, it works, doesn’t it? Enemies are gone, no chance for them to come back if they’re burnt to a crisp.”

“Did I miss something?” Twilight questioned.

“Aside from him setting the forest on fire?” Warriors deadpanned.

“No, I saw that and I could have sworn I confiscated the fire rod from you.”

“You better not have stolen mine,” Legend warned.

“Nope! Wind traded me for my duplex bow.”

“Of course he did,” Twilight pinched the bridge of his nose. “Go trade back and tell Wind if he lends it out again I’m putting his bag on a high shelf so he can’t reach it. Also make sure you take care of that burn.”

“Yes mom,” Wild snickered before going over to the sailor.

“You seem very close to him,” Warriors commented.

“Theyre practically siblings,” Legend rolled his eyes.

“Aren’t you and Hyrule the same way?” Twilight smirked. The veteran went red with embarrassment.

“Whatever.”

“I was there for a good chunk of his adventure,” Twilight explained, shifting his attention to the captian. “His Hyrule isn’t as populated so people are hard to come by there.”

“So perhaps you would know why he froze up in front of a moblin of all things?” The captain sat down next to him on the fallen log.

“It happened again?”

“This is a constant thing?!”

“Yeah, but ain’t my story to tell and it ain’t your place to prod,” Twilight gave him a warning look. “All ya need to know is that if it happens and he’s in a battle like earlier, get ‘im out of the way. Otherwise, just come find me.”

“Twilight, he’s a liability like that! If you know why he freezes up like that, then tell us so we can help him prevent it.”

“I already told you that’s none of your business,” Wild came back, his duplex bow slung over his shoulder and Wind walking along with him. “I know Twi wouldn’t spill but I don’t appreciate you still trying to get answers despite me saying to drop it.” The rancher and the veteran both stared at Warriors in bewilderment.

“If he said to drop it, then drop it,” Legend warned.

“So you just accept it? That’s incredibly dangerous! You’re putting yourself and everyone else at risk like that!” The captain paused for a moment, getting to his feet. “Or do you not care about the people around you?”

“Excuse me?” Wild narrowed his eyes at him, his grip on his duplex bow tightening.

“What the fuck Wars?” Wind gasped.

“That’s out of line to say,” Legend glared at him.

“Between this and you setting the forest on fire, it's the only logical conclusion I can reach.”

“Captain-” Twilight started.

“You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to jump into this group and start making assumptions like that.”

“Then prove me wrong.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” Wild shot back.

“Stop being a liability for everyone else and either fix the problem or lea-” The captain stopped when he felt the familiar weight of a blade against his neck. Wild looked devastated and for a brief moment, the captain wondered if he went too far. However, he returned his focus to the person holding him at swordpoint.

“You best hush that mouth of yours, Captain,” Twilight glowered at him with a glare that erased any doubt that he is a divine beast, “Right fuckin’ now.”

“That’s enough,” Time spoke up, ending their argument for them. “Twilight, put the sword down.” The rancher scowled but still complied with the Time’s orders. “Now, I only caught the tail end of that argument, so do either of you want to explain what’s going on?”

“Why don’t you ask your group's resident arsonist-” Warriors gestured to where Wild had been standing a mere few seconds ago, only for him to have vanished. “When did he-?”

“Goddesses not again,” Twilight muttered under his breath before turning to Time, “I’ll go find him. Captain here can tell you everything he said,” he spat the title with venom and trudged deeper into the forest.

Chapter Text

Up and at it! You have no time to be lounging around anymore!

You call that a strike?! Ganon will skewer you like a kebab!

Wild ran through the forest, no thoughts in mind except to get away from there. Old, unpleasant memories were beginning to bubble to the surface as he recalled his previous captain, and all the torture he put the champion through to prepare him; Only for him to fail in the end anyways.

Your family left you here to learn how to become a soldier, not to lay in bed, sick. On your feet and grab your sword.

Get up, We keep going until you can get me off my feet. No stopping before that, hero.

“Dammit…Dammit! Stop already!” he clutched his head. Images flickered through his mind like an old movie reel. Wild tried to shake them off but they clung to him like smoke.

His boot caught a tree root. He pitched forward, crashing down a small slope, branches snapping at his arms. He hit the base of a tree with a heavy thud. The impact rattled his ribs but the voice didn’t stop. He pushed himself upright, dirt clinging to his tunic.

Blurry shapes formed in the dark between the trees. Nobles. Soldiers. Zelda. His captain. All staring down at him with the same cold disappointment.

Anything less than your best will make you a liability. You either keep at it and improve, or give up the sword and doom Hyrule to ruin. Wild stumbled back a step, gasping. His heartbeat hammered in his ears. He couldn’t see the forest anymore, only them. The shapes pressed closer. His chest tightened. He clutched at his hair, forcing air in through his teeth.

“Cub?” Wild flinched as a hand was gently placed on his shoulder. “Cub, its me.” The champion turned to see Twilight standing before him, his face scrunched up in worry. “Just me.” He sat the champion down on one of the fallen logs scattered around the forest.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, “I know, I know I shouldn’t have run off but-”

“It’s alright,” Twilight smiled, “I would’ve wanted out of a situation like that too. What he said was way out of line.”

“But he was right,” Wild stared at the dirt at his feet. His fingers dug into the edge of the log like he was bracing himself.

“The hell he was,” Twilight snapped.

“He was though!” Wild cried out, “Look around you! This is what Hyrule is supposed to be like; bustling with people, with families,with life, but I ruined all that. I failed them, Revali, Urbosa, Daruk, Mipha-” His breath stuttered like he was going to keep listing names that weren’t there. Twilight didn’t let him. He pulled Wild into a hug, arms tight around shaking shoulders.

“Wild. You didn’t fail anyone. No one could’ve seen what Ganon was gonna do. Y’all played your parts right. You were tricked from the start.” Twilight squeezed him a little tighter before Wild pulled back just enough to see his face.

“But if we’d caught it, then everyone would still be alive.”

“Are you an expert in Sheikah tech? Is Flora?”

“She’s becoming one…”

“Yeah, now she is. But back then? Nothin’ in those old notes said the Calamity could hijack it all. Y’all got blindsided. And the Champions, they knew what they signed up for. They chose it. You freed ‘em, Wild. You’re still keepin’ the peace they died for. So don’t you go sayin’ you failed ‘em when you’re the one still standin’ to protect that. Got it, Cub?”

Wild wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, breath hitching. He let out a choked laugh when Twilight pulled him into another hug. They stayed like that for a while, the forest hushed around them.

“Do we gotta go back to the castle?” Wild’s voice was muffled in Twilight’s fur.

“Unfortunately, yes. But we don’t have to go right away. And if Warriors gives you any crap I’ll-” Twilight’s threat was cut off by the sound of a twig snapping. Both heroes sprung to their feet, hands reaching for a weapon.

“Who’s there?” Wild called out. Twilight scanned their surroundings until his eyes landed on a shadowy figure with glowing red eyes.

“Come out,” Twilight demanded.

“It would seem I’ve been caught,” out from the shadows emerged a woman with white hair and an obscene lack of clothing. Her eyes were actually hidden beneath a crow shaped mask so neither of them could tell what color her eyes really were.

“Hello boys,” Cia smiled.

Chapter Text

“Well, I haven't met you before,” Cia stared at Wild.

“Likewise. But I try not to make it a habit of meeting crazed magic ladies in the woods.”

“And how do you know I’m magic?”

“You’re holding a glowing scepter for one,” Twilight answered, “and there's the fact that dark magic is rolling off you in waves.”

“Observant as always, Hero of Twilight.”

“You wouldn’t happen to be that sorceress the pirate mentioned would you?” Wild asked, his hand itching to grab his ax.

“Ah, so you’ve heard of me. Well, that can’t do,” she tsked, “I’m trying to work undercover and I can’t exactly let friends of the crown leave here and leak my location.” Twilight and Wild immediately pulled out their weapons. Cia stared at Wild in interest.

“Unfortunately for you, I can’t exactly die again,” Wild smirked, “Too many people have told me I’m not allowed to.”

“Then I’ll pass on the apology.” With a single swing of her scepter, skeletons started clambering their way out of the dirt below them.

“Shit!” Twilight immediately switched his sword out for one of the many fire rods he’s confiscated from Wild and started to burn the skeletons. Wild meanwhile, had opted to use a flamespear and was striking down the skeletons at a breakneck speed. As their numbers dwindled, the two heroes grew wearier and wearier.

“That’s enough fun,” with another wave of the scepter, more skeletons emerged from underground. Only this time, to Wild’s surprise, they were shrieking. His body immediately seized up.

“Crap…” he muttered, “Why can’t I move?” Twilight was fending off a stalmoblin when he saw the redeads closing in on the champion. The rancher wasted no time in changing forms to weave his way in between the skeletons. He slammed into Wild, knocking him out of the paralysis spell. However, the redeads screeched once more, paralyzing the wolf where he stood. Wild had instinctively covered his ears upon seeing being released from the paralysis and was now stumbling to his feet.

“Twi!” The champion rushed forwards but was stopped when Cia appeared in between the two of them. His flamespear was immediately pointed at her neck.

“Now hold on just a minute,” she smiled, her scepter pointed at Twilight, “One more step and the wolf is monster food.”

“No stop!”

“Then listen to what I have to say. I have a proposition for you, hero.” Wild looked between Wolfie and the sorceress. Wolfie was trying to shake his head but the paralysis had more of an effect on him due to his heightened hearing.

“What is it?”

“Come with me and I will let him live.”

“Come with you?” He repeated incredulously. “What the hell do you want with me? I’m not even from here.”

“Personal reasons aside, you are also a hero of courage are you not?”

“...Supposedly.” Wolfie gave him a flat look.

“Then you would know the hero of this era, correct?” She crossed her arms. Wild kept his expression neutral.

“We’ve met.”

“Well, then what hero of courage wouldn’t come for one of their own?”

“So you want me as bait to lure the captain?”

“Exactly. But at the right moment so…” She grabbed one of the discarded swords from her monsters and swung at Wolfie.

“NO!” Wild rushed towards his friend, his hands going to cover the wound.

“Don’t worry, he’ll survive. Provided you come with me. Just needed to slow him down for now. I’ll teleport him close to the palace so someone sees him. If you refuse, I’ll just leave him here to rot.“ Wolfie moved ever so slightly and Twilight was human once more.

“Cub… don’t even think about it,” he gritted out. “We don’t make deals with sorceresses.”

“I’m surprised you can speak,” Cia stared at him, impressed.

“The goats back home have hurt me worse than you have, witch.”

“I liked it better when you couldn’t speak,” she mumbled, “Well, hero? There’s no way you’ll make it back to the castle before he bleeds out and that doesn’t even account for waiting for the paralysis to fully wear off.”

“Cub, listen to me, I’ll be fine-”

“Are you sure about that? Or are you willing to risk losing someone else?” The champion visibly flinched at the question. If looks could kill, the sorceress would have died from the look Twilight was giving her.

“...Fine. Teleport him first.”

“Cub, no!”

“I’m sorry Twi,” he smiled ruefully, “But I’ve already lost so many people close to me and I refuse to lose one of the people I'm closest to.”

“Aw how sweet…” Cia’s grin quickly morphed into a scowl, “It’s actually sickening.” The sorceress whirled her staff and blasted Twilight through a portal.

“Twilight!” Wild lept toward the portal, only for it to close up as soon as the rancher went through.

“Well, I’ve held my end of the deal. Now let’s go, champion.”

After the fight in the forest, the remaining seven heroes returned to the castle. A few hours later, Hyrule and Warriors had gone out to find Wild and Twilight, who still hadn’t returned. They had spent the better half of the night searching for them, coming across scorch marks and skeletal remains, which they figured was from the earlier fight. They had returned to the castle just as the sun started to rise, with no news.

Time was beginning to get worried. Wild could disappear for days on end and return like nothing happened; but Twilight? He never did something like this.

“Come on! You can do better than that Old Man!” Wind ducked as Time regained his focus and swung right above his head. Wind, after having told him what happened between the three of them, was very close to sneaking off into the forest to look on his own. Which brings them to now, a practice spar for both heroes to distract themselves from their internal worry.

“Are you saying you wanted me to take your head off, Sailor?” Wind got in close and tried to strike his sword arm, which was immediately parried.

“Nah, don’t get ahead of yourself. Your swing was too slow.” A chorus of groans echoed from the audience consisting of Legend, Four, and Sky.

“Was that a pun?” Time stared at the sailor in amusement.

“That, my fellow hero,” Wind sheathed his sword and swung it at full force at Time’s knees. His bad knee to be specific. A resounding pop echoed in the training grounds. The veteran winced in sympathy at the noise. The older hero buckled and Wind unsheathed his sword, pointing it at Time’s neck. “Was a distraction.” Applause broke out from the audience.

“Hylia I wish I had Wild’s slate to record that,” Sky grinned, “amazing swordsmanship guys!”

“Next time instead of using a sheathed sword, use a sledgehammer,” Four suggested, “more weight behind it.”

“I would still like to be able to walk, smith,” Time staggered to his feet and turned to Wind, “New tactic? I’ve yet to see you use it before.”

“Nope! I’ve been using that one on the island for ye- hey what's that?” Wind pointed behind Time at the small portal appearing in the sky.

“If that’s for us I swear when we find who's making these things, I’m stabbing them; Hylia or not,” Legend scowled.

“You’re gonna have to get through me before you stab Hylia, Veteran,” Sky leveled a cold glare at Legend, who huffed and looked away.

“Guys…” Wind spoke up, “Something’s falling out of the portal!”

“Wait- Wolfie?!” Four recognized the figure falling through the sky. The other heroes exchanged concerned glances before booking it to where the portal was. Wind got there first and immediately brandished his wind waker to slow the wolf’s descent. Time and Sky managed to catch Wolfie just as Wind’s magic gave out.

“He’s wounded…” Sky muttered.

“Smith, go find the traveler,” Time ordered. Four nodded and sprinted back towards the castle. Sky brandished the master sword and changed Twilight back to his original form. Wind stared at him with wide eyes.

“You? You’re Wolfie?” He was on his knees next to his wounded comrade. Sky patted him reassuringly.

“I’ll explain it later.”

“He isn’t coming to,” Legend muttered as he started covering the wound. Four and Hyrule came running out of the castle.

“Let me see him,” Hyrule demanded. Wind and Time moved aside to let the traveler through. Magic began to flow from his fingers as he healed the worst of the wound. “What happened to him? This doesn’t look like a sparring accident.”

“He fell from a portal a few minutes ago,” Legend summarized.

“A portal?! Wait, does that mean he and Wild were in another Hyrule?!”

“I don't think so. But the only person who can tell us where the champion is right now is him when he gets up,” Time answered. Sky gently picked up the rancher just as Hyrule finished healing the worst of the wound. Wind pulled the old man to the side as the rest of them went ahead.

“Time,” Wind whispered, “the portal… it looked like one of hers didn’t it?” Time glanced at his protege’s unconscious form and then back at Wind, worry bubbling back to the surface.

“It did. But I hope that we’re wrong.”

Chapter Text

“I’m glad to see that you made the right choice, hero,” Cia patted him on the head. Wild glared at her, but said nothing in response. “You weren’t this silent back in the forest. If you’re mad about the Hero of Twilight, don’t be. I promised you he’d survive didn’t I?”

“I don’t take exactly the words of a kidnapper at face value.”

“Fair point. Too bad it's all you got,” Cia chuckled. “Now… We have a lot of work ahead of us and we’re on a time limit.” With the wave of her scepter, Wild was bound with ropes on his arms and legs.

“What do you even want with me? You said you had personal reasons. If thats supposed to be some innuendo for something gross-”

“-Let’s just say you have piqued my interest. Not in a lewd way, you dirty-minded hero. I know much about the other heroes but not much about you. So let’s get to know one another! I’m sure that we will be good friends.”

“Once again: I don’t exactly go around befriending kidnapping sorceresses.”

“I’m sure you’ll change your mind soon enough.” Wild thrashed against the restraints like a beast. “Now, let’s see what’s going on in there.” Dark magic glowed from her scepter and she blasted it at Wild.

“How is he doing?” Warriors questioned the veteran as he and Wind entered the throne room. It had been a whole night and he hadn’t seen Twilight or Wild since their fight in the forest, despite himself and the traveler going out to look for them. He replayed the conversation in his head, trying to look at it with a now calmed mind. He honestly was trying to help Wild. He didn’t understand why he would react in such a way when having an issue so detrimental could end up being his downfall. But now Twilight was back, bleeding out and without the champion.

“Roolie’s healed up part of it and we’ve patched the rest of it. Now we’re just waiting for him to wake up,” Legend answered.

“Any word about the champion?” Zelda asked.

“Nope. Chances are the only one who can tell us where he’s at is Twilight.”

“Wars,” Wind said, more serious than the Captain’s ever seen him, “Twilight fell from a portal.” Warriors and Zelda exchanged concerned looks.

“Like the portals you have been traveling through?” Zelda was the first to ask.

“No. A different portal.”

“Did it look like that?” Legend pointed to the expanding black circle in the middle of the throne room. Warriors’ eyes went wide in surprise but he quickly schooled his expression into a neutral frown.

“Why, hello, your highness,” Cia grinned as she stepped out. “Captain.”

“Is this the sorceress?” Legend whispered to Wind, who nodded in response. Warriors’ sword was immediately pointed at Cia’s neck.

“Is that any way to greet an old friend?”

“We have different definitions of friend, sorceress,” Zelda snapped, stepping off her throne and brandishing her rapier.

“How rude; I’m almost glad that this is just a projection and not the real deal.” Her hand went through the captain’s sword with ease.

“Then why the hell are you here?” Wind spoke up.

“I do believe you are one hero short, no?” Zelda’s eyes went wide with realization. The sword nearly fell from Warrior’s grip and Legend mumbled a curse more colorful than the smith’s tunic.

“You piece of shit-” Wind growled, “Give him back!”

“You came here just to inform us that you kidnapped him?” Warriors questioned, “That’s unlike you, witch.”

“You’re wrong on two accounts,” she laughed, “Firstly, I didn’t kidnap him. He gave himself up.”

“What the hell?” Legend mumbled.

“What’s going on?” Hyrule and Time had entered the throne room. The old man locked eyes with the sorceress and immediately scowled.

“Well!” Cia stared at Time in interest, “You wouldn’t happen to be that insufferable brat that decided to set me on fire during the war, are you?

“Would you like to find out?” he challenged.

“Hey rewind a second lady,” Legend ordered, “the hell you mean he gave himself up?”

“What?” Hyrule gasped. Time went pale at the sorceress’ claim.

“It’s as I said. The champion gave himself up to spare the Hero of Twilight. He didn’t want to lose someone so important to him. Isn’t that sweet? What was it that he said?” She methodically tapped her scepter. “Ah! He said ‘I’ve lost so many people, failed so many people, and I refuse to lose anyone else.’ It was very heartwarming.” Warriors looked like he wanted to be sick. The biggoron sword immediately pierced the projection.

“Do not mock him like that,” Time snarled. Cia laughed boisterously as she leisurely stepped through the sword.

“What is the second account, Cia?” Zelda questioned, trying to stay on track.

“I didn’t come here just to tell you this. I’ve come to invite you all to a masquerade.”

“A masquerade?” Legend snorted, “Sorry, but balls aren’t really my thing.”

“I’m sure you’ll like this one, after all, its not everyday there’s a murder at the ball.”

“What?!” Wind and Hyrule exclaimed.

“That’s right! Two days from now, when the clock strikes midnight, I will kill the Hero of the Wild and by the time I’m through with him, he’ll thank me for doing it.” Outcry echoed in the throne room.

“Why you-!” Wind let out a string of curses guaranteed to make a sailor blush.

“Wild would never do that,” Hyrule protested.

“Good luck breaking him,” Legend spoke up, “Champion’s seen more shit than any of us, like one petty bitch with boy troubles is gonna be the end of him.”

“Clearly you don’t know who you’re dealing with, witch,” a voice croaked from the doorway. Twilight was leaning on the doorframe, glowering at both Cia and Warriors. “He’s a lot tougher than you've given him credit for.”

“Sure, he can hold his own against me, I bet. But can he hold his own against his past?”

“His past?” Warriors questioned, glancing back at the rancher who went pale. Whether it was due to him straining himself or from the witch’s claim, the captain was unsure.

“Welp looks like the little champion is about to wake up. Ciao!” The sorceress faded from existence, leaving the heroes and the princess in a state of rage (for some) and confusion.

“I have so many questions,” Hyrule mumbled.

“Here, allow me to voice the one everyone’s thinking,” Legend answered before turning back towards Warriors and Zelda, “What the fuck just happened?!”

Chapter Text

He saw Revali and Daruk, training together, Urbosa sitting with Zelda as she went on about the ancient sheikah tech, and he saw himself… silent as a statue as Mipha healed up another injury from fighting. The king had come by, saw what was going on, and proceeded to order Zelda to her room to continue her prayers. He had followed her only for her to scream at him that she didn’t need him.

Wild shook his head to clear his thoughts. No, Zel and I aren’t like that anymore. We’re friends now.

In another memory, he saw Mipha and him sitting together and overlooking the sunset. She reached for his hand and he returned the gesture, causing both of them to blush. The smile on Mipha’s face will be something Wild would forever cherish. However, they were interrupted as a general stormed onto the balcony, absolutely seething.

“You think that you can afford to be skipping your duties to the princess to fraternize with the champions?” Mipha shot up, about to protest but was cut off by the general continuing. “And you, you shouldn’t lower your standards to the likes of him; he isn’t of noble blood.” Two guards appeared behind the general and he turned to them.

“Please escort Princess Mipha back to her chambers and ensure she remains there for the time being.” Wild saw himself glaring at the general and the guards. The guards moved to grab Mipha but were stopped when he refused to let go of her hand.

“Link?” she asked confusedly. Wild watched himself, for the first time in all of his memories, smile as he kept his hold on Mipha and leapt off the balcony. The general was screeching and ordered the two men to go after them. Mipha meanwhile, was laughing as they landed in the river moat. The two of them managed to evade the guards well into the evening.

It was the next morning, after the two of them parted, that Link received the worst beating of his life. Every strike, every slash, and the general from the night before came with a bow… Wild unconsciously grabbed at the faded scars near his neck.

“If Hyrule falls,” he sneered as Link was gasping for air, “The blood of thousands will be on your hands and your hands only. Remember that the next time you decide to run away with a zora.” He spat as if the name disgusted him. Everything was becoming hazy once more. The last thing he could make out was himself reaching for his sword and charging at the general as he walked away.

Wild shot up, gasping for air, and one hand holding onto his neck. He took in his surroundings and saw that he was still tied up to a pillar. Cia was sitting on a black throne in front of him, fiddling with his sheikah slate.

“Give that back,” he demanded, his voice surprisingly hoarse. Had he been screaming out?

“Oh, you’re up. Probably should have guessed since you stopped screaming. Wanna share what you saw?”

“No.” The champion was picking at his restraints.

“It’s alright, I saw it anyway,” Cia laughed as Wild growled at her. She tapped the slate and his ancient battle axe appeared in front of her. She picked it up, lurching at the sudden weight.

“How do you swing this around?”

“You’re just weak, I guess,” Wild shrugged.

“Like you were when your world fell to ruin?” She shot back.

“And how do you know that?”

“I’ve learned quite a lot about you while you were playing with your champions. I have to say though, you have had quite the journey, Wild. It’s not everyday that someone can defy death itself. Too bad your friends couldn’t have the same fate.”

“They knew the cost,” He remembered Twilight’s words. “We each played our part until the end but we were doomed before we even started.”

“Then why are you here and your champions aren’t?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Wild looked up at her defiantly, “But they died protecting the peace I’m going to keep.”

“How sickeningly sweet,” Cia rolled her eyes. She tapped the sheikah slate again and the battle ax disappeared.

“I’ve been told I’m a rather sweet person.”

“Oh!” She snapped her fingers, “I paid your friends a visit, by the way. Imagine my surprise when I found not only the captain and princess, but I also found the pirate and the gremlin as well. Gremlin nearly stabbed me too.”

“Why are you complaining to me? If you’re looking for sympathy, you’re not going to find any here.”

“Rude. I liked it better when you were screaming in agony.”

“And I liked it better when my only company was a crazy woman who apparently has boy issues.” Cia narrowed her eyes at the champion.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, was I not supposed to see the room next to us filled with paintings of the captain?” Wild managed to untie the ropes keeping his arms pinned. “If so, you really should not leave that door open. Someone could walk in there by accident and see just how obsessed you are.”

“You-!” Cia swung her staff at the champion. Wild got to his feet and caught the staff with practiced ease, much to the sorceress’ surprise.

“If you’ve gone through enough of my memories, you should really know it's pretty hard to keep me still,” he smirked. However, the champion’s triumph was short-lived as Cia let loose a blast of magic at point blank range. Wild went skidding across the room until he collided with another pillar. Cia let out a sigh of relief when he didn’t get back up.

“Finally, some peace and quiet.” She summoned some more restraints before returning her attention to Wild’s sheikah slate.

Chapter Text

Warriors paced up and down the meeting room while Zelda and Legend watched him.

“This is my fault on so many accounts, dear Hylia,” he mumbled.

“Well you’re going to be the fault for my next migraine if you don't stop pacing around like that,” Legend remarked.

“It’s a nervous habit, okay?!”

“What’s there to be nervous about?” Zelda questioned. “We’ve dealt with Cia before and we know her weaknesses. While Lana not being here does put us at a slight disadvantage, there are more than enough heroes present to assist.”

“Plus, contrary to your previous assumption, the champion is quite capable of handling himself,” Legend added, “I’m sure he’s driving this sorceress insane.”

“Previous assumption?” Zelda stared at the veteran in confusion.

“Him and Wild got into it last night because Wild’s fighting ability is a bit…unique.” Warriors stopped pacing and stood in front of Legend.

“Legend, he set nearly half the forest on fire and then he froze up! In the middle of battle!”

“The fire is something we’re still working on, I’ll admit, but him freezing up isn’t his fault-”

“Um… am I interrupting?” Sky knocked on the door sheepishly.

“Not at all, Hero of The Skies,” Zelda answered, “Something the matter?”

“No, well aside from the hinox in the room, but I came to tell you we’re discussing the battle plan.”

“Link and I will join you in a moment,” Zelda answered. Warriors stared at Zelda in confusion. “Go ahead, you two.” Legend saw the look on the princess’s face and he nodded in understanding.

“Is there a reason we didn’t join them?”

“Well for starters, I’m sure the Hero of Twilight will absolutely beat you up, regardless of his injuries.”

“And the other?”

“The other reason is that it falls to me to make you see the error in your actions from last night.”

“Wait what?”

“Did you stop to consider why a hero with that many scars froze up? He might be young, but as the Hero of Time shows you, heroism has no age. And neither does trauma.”

“If there was something potentially triggering, he could have told us and we could have figured it out.”

“And do you plan on telling the heroes about your extreme paranoia?” She shot back. Warriors bristled at that.

“I-I’m not paranoid!”

“Ah, we’re back to denial then,” she muttered, “Tell me you didn’t immediately start analyzing strengths and weaknesses so you could see who you can take in a fight.” Zelda flashed him a look when the captain said nothing. “My point is, he doesn’t need to tell you why it happens, just that it happens sometimes and how to work around it.”

“He’s a danger to himself and the others like that, Zelda. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good kid and a very good shot, but if he freezes up like that again and no one’s nearby to help him-”

“You’ve only just met most of these heroes, Link. Chances are that they’re already helping him with this issue. The only thing I’m saying is that you had no right to to discredit him because of it. He’s our future; chances are whatever he’s faced will be much bigger than what we have.”

“Hey,” Wind knocked on the door, “We’re discussing strategy if the two people who have actually fought Cia head-on would like to join us.”

“We’ll be down in a second, pirate,” Warriors answered. Wind nodded and quickly exited the room.

“When you find him, you need to make things right before he loses trust in you completely.” Warriors nodded resolutely.

“I will.”

“Since none of my other attempts to break your spirit have succeeded, I had to resort to other methods.”

“Wait so the trip down memory lane was to break me?” Wild rolled his eyes, “I already know that I failed everyone and disgraced my fellow heroes. That isn’t new knowledge. If anything, I’m happy I got more memories of the other champions and Zelda. So what kind of other futile methods are you going to try?”

It had been a long two days for both the champion and the sorceress. When he wasn’t being forced to relive memories he didn’t know he had, Wild took any and all opportunities he could find to try to escape Cia, but was always met with opposition in the form of Cia blasting him into the nearest pillar. However, that only worked the first two times she did it before Wild began dodging her. Therefore she began summoning some sort of monster or shadow to distract him with, then blasting him into a pillar.

Honestly by this point, Cia was just as tired of Wild as Wild was with her, but there was no way she would let him go before she could make the captain pay.

“Well,” the sorceress snapped her fingers, “Does this seem familiar to you?” Wild stiffened as a coffin tank that mirrored the very one he woke up in for the first time appeared behind her. The champion eventually regained his composure and faced Cia.

“Nobody knows about that… so how do you?”

“Since I’ve learned a lot about you in the last few days, I suppose I can tell you about myself. I, and my light half, were guardians of time. We made sure that nothing interfered with the space-time continuum from the past to the present. We were forbidden from looking into the future so that we don’t change it in the present. But you, Wild are my loophole.”

“So you’re a villain that actually cares about the laws of space-time?”

“Of course, I don’t care!” she snapped at him, “We were not physically able to. But, reading the mind of a person from the future currently in our present is well within my capabilities. It’s a win-win really; I get knowledge about the future and conjure up your buried memories as a means to test the magic I’ve observed in your present and break your spirit so that there will be nothing left of you.”

“Well the shrine only works to heal people so fear aside, you’re just helping me in the long run.”

“Not this one,” Cia grinned maniacally, “I’ve used my own dark magic to make this since sheikah technology seemingly can’t be mimicked by magic. So rather than heal you, It will corrupt you from the inside out. Not that anyone else will know that.” Wild tried to scramble away from her, but the chains on him kept him bound in place. With a wave of her scepter, the chains began to drag the champion towards the counterfeit shrine. “By the time you come to, you won’t be able to tell friend from foe,” Cia exclaimed, giddy with excitement.

“No!” Wild thrashed against the chains, “You said that you wouldn't hurt them!”

“See, it's that naive way of thinking that got you in this mess, champion, I fully intend on making the captain suffer for breaking my heart.” Daruk’s protection flared to life, its protective dome littered with cracks, blocking the chains’ imbued with magic from dragging Wild any further.

“People like you don’t deserve love if you’re just going to exploit it,” Wild snarled, “The only thing Warriors did wrong was not ending you when he had the chance. But I know he and the others will fix that soon.” The grin on Cia’s face soon morphed into a scowl.

“Oh don’t worry about the others. I’ll keep my promise to you. After all, the one that is going to hurt them is you. The liability, as Link so eloquently put it.”

“I’d never!”

“You won’t have a choice!” Cia cracked her whip against the protective dome, causing it to shatter.

“Shit…” Wild mumbled. The chains dragged him closer and closer to the prison tank. The sorceress was cackling at this point while the champion lashed out against the chains with much more vigor. Cia suddenly stopped laughing and perked up.

“All right, I’m getting bored so lets speed this along.” She blasted Wild with her scepter and he felt himself falling. Black spots dotted his vision and his limbs felt like lead. He fell to his knees. Guys…Please hurry, he pleaded. And then blissful nothingness.

Chapter Text

“Rancher, don’t.” Time ordered when Warriors and Zelda entered the meeting room. If looks could kill, the captain would have died twice over from the glare Twilight was giving him.

“He’s lucky I’m injured. Otherwise, I’d have introduced im’ to the bottom of my iron boots,” he mumbled. Sky patted him on the shoulder sympathetically.

“So!” Wind clapped his hands together to get everyone’s attention, “We got exactly seven hours to find where the hell this witch is and what she’s done to Wild before she kills him.”

“Not that it’ll happen. But I wouldn’t put it past her to try something before midnight,” Time commented.

“I've been sending out scouts to patrol all the areas Cia previously used as hideouts,” Zelda added, “At least the areas in this realm.”

“This realm?” Legend questioned.

“Cia was a mage responsible for maintaining the balance of the time,” Warriors explained, “She has the ability to watch over different time periods but is not allowed to interfere with them.”

“But that didn’t exactly go to plan,” Wind piped up, “Cia went batshit, causing all the good in her to separate and become Lana, and tore a rift into all the previous time periods in an attempt to get the triforce herself.”

“Why do all the powerful people have to be insane?” Four mumbled.

“So you’re saying that she can be in any of our time periods?” Hyrule asked. “We have no way of getting back there on our own; we just go through the portals that randomly appear for us.”

“It’s alright, because before we got sidetracked, I was going to say one of them spotted a castle that hadn't been there two days ago,” Zelda answered. “If I were to wager, without Ganondorf’s influence, Cia doesn’t have as much power as she did before.”

“Good, the last thing we need is more time traveling on top of all this,” Legend rolled his eyes before they landed on Time. “No offense.” Time shrugged in response.

“So then we’re likely going to be walking right into her trap of a castle,” Twilight spoke up, “How do we split up?” Wind let out a small wince and looked at Time.

“You didn’t tell him yet, did you?” Warriors and Zelda stared at the sailor in confusion.

“Tell me what…” The gears in Twilight’s mind turned as he realized what the sailor was insinuating. “You’re out of your damned mind if ya think I’m staying behind.”

“Told you…” the veteran whispered to Hyrule, who sighed in exasperation.

“Twi, your injury isn't fully healed enough for you to be in combat already.”

“With all due respect, Hyrule, I ain’t asking for permission. Wild traded himself to make sure I got out of that mess. I’m getting im’ back.”

“He traded himself to make sure you survive,” Warriors piped up, “Don’t toss the chance he gave you away.”

“I don’t want to hear anything from you unless it's about the plan to save him from this mess; which he wouldn’t even be in if it weren’t for you,” the rancher growled, fangs bared.

“I know how much he means to you, cub, but we both know Wild wouldn’t forgive himself if something happened to you while you were trying to rescue him,” Time reasoned. Twilight didn’t respond. His jaw clenched tight, ears twitching with restrained frustration. He glanced down at his bandaged side, flexing his fingers like he could will the pain away.

“We only have one chance to catch Cia and rescue the Hero of The Wild,” Zelda spoke up. “If we can’t come to some sort of agreement on a plan then you’ll doom him.”

“You’re staying,” Time said with finality. Twilight got up and walked out of the room.

“Ten rupees he sneaks with us,” Four whispered to Wind.

“Twenty if he tries to fight Cia himself.”

“You’re on.”

“Okay,” Legend took over, “Right now, plans to deal with any monsters the witch has around the castle while you,” he looked at Warriors, “are going straight for Cia.”

“Are we sure its a good idea to send him in with no backup?” Sky asked.

“If anything, I won’t be without backup for very long,” he said confidently, “While she can summon monsters at will, they mostly go down in one hit.”

“We’ll be right behind you,” Wind promised.

“Then we can split up and while some of us back you up, the rest will go for Wild,” Sky concluded. Time nodded in agreement.

“Let’s just hope we can stick to the plan this time.”

They did not stick to the plan this time. Four had gone ahead to scout their numbers and was immediately cornered by a gang of moblins. From there, the floodgates opened and waves of monsters came rushing at them. Honestly, it was going well, all things considered.

Then three lynels decided to fight Sky solo.

“How is he?” Warriors asked Time as he checked on the chosen hero.

“Just a head wound,” he confirmed. “He’s going to have a very rough headache when he comes to.”

“Captain, you need to keep going,” Four called out as he and Wind felled one of the lynels.

“I’m not leaving you to deal with this onslaught by yourselves!” Warriors protested.

“What’s one less person?” Wind piped up, “You’re the only one who can get close to Cia right now because she doesn’t want to kill you. She’s using Wild to lure you in so take the goddamn bait!” Lightning rained down on the castle courtyard. The three of them looked over to where Legend and Hyrule stood in the gateway.

“The sooner you get to her, the sooner these swarms go away,” Legend spoke up. Hyrule nodded in agreement. “So find her quickly.”

“Theyre right,” Time added as he picked up Sky, “The swarms are to stall us so we don’t make it by midnight. You need to go ahead.”

“Fine,” Warriors relented, “Just be safe, Sprite.” The old man grinned.

“I never am, captain.”

Chapter Text

The castle was teeming with life. Dancers donning various types of masks covered the floor as the musicians filled the air with blissful music. Tables lined the room, each one filled to the brim with foods from different cultures. Warriors paid no mind to any of it and was on guard as he ventured onto the dancefloor. However, one mask drew his attention; a familiar monochrome crow mask.

“It’s been a while, Captain,” Cia hummed. Warriors narrowed his eyes at the sorceress, his hand just itching to grab his sword and wipe that smug expression off her face. Wait a second the rational side of him advised, if she’s killed, there's a chance we won’t find the champion.

“Where is he?”

“Where is who?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Cia, it doesn't suit you. Where’s the champion?” The sorceress leaned back on her throne, looking bored with the whole situation.

“What an interesting title. Champion. A word used to describe a victor. But can this little hero really be a champion when he already lost?” Warriors reached for his sword. Cia methodically stepped towards the captain, as if daring him to strike. “Bright side is, his loss gave way to so many fears; fear of failure, abandonment, -”

“So that’s your game? Using Wild’s fears against him? Why?”

“You know, it's rude to interrupt a person when they’re talking. But I'll forgive you this time, honey,” she stroked Warriors as if he were a cat. The captain grabbed her hand and twisted it, taking great satisfaction in the crack that echoed after.

“I am not your lover and I never will be so don’t call me honey,” he growled, “Now Where. Is. He?” Cia bit back the scream at having her wrist broken and smiled at the captain.

“I had hoped we would have the chance to catch up, maybe reminisce on old times,” the smile on the sorceress soon faded into a scowl. “But since you’re so insistent on seeing the champion, here you go.” Cia snapped her fingers on the not-injured hand and the room around the pair began to change. The dancers around them faded, replacing the bustling, grandiose palace with a desolate dark castle. The throne was replaced with a glowing blue tank and in the midst of it, Wild laid still.

“NO!” Warriors ran to the tank, “Wild!” He pounded on the glass, trying to break it. This is all my fault! He chastised himself, I shouldn't have said that to him then he wouldn't have ran and he and Twilight would have been okay-

“The glass won’t break, you know. It’s enchanted.” Cia healed her wrist, “Honestly, he’s lasted much longer than I thought he would. Put up so much of a fight against his other fears. And even this one, he was defiant until the bitter end.” The captain whirled on the sorceress, pointing his sword at her neck.

“What did you do to him?!”

“I was getting there before you interrupted me,” she snapped, “As I was saying, your descendant is a hero with many fears. I’ve pitted each one against him but nevertheless he persisted, he had faith that you and your fellow heroes would come for him. So decided to put him against his biggest fear of them all; being back in the shrine of resurrection.”

“The what?”

“You mean the champion never told you how he lost his memories?”

“That’s none of our business.”

“Well, I’ll spare you most of the details. He died.” The captain went pale.

“You’re lying.”

“And what benefit do I get in that?” Cia chuckled, “His Hyrule originally lost to Ganondorf, he died in the process and slept in the shrine for a hundred years to heal. But it came at the cost of his memories of his old life. If I were to guess, that’s probably why he froze up.” Warriors wanted to borrow Time’s ocarina and go beat the crap out of himself from two days ago. I called him a liability when he’s faced so much. He came back from death itself at 16 years old. No wonder Twilight looked about ready to murder me.

“The only difference now is that rather than healing him, I am poisoning him.” His hands itched to slice her in two, but he was stopped once again by his rationality. Keep her talking. The more you know about the situation, the better you will be at solving it.

“Poison? Last I checked, potions weren't really your thing.”

“Who said anything about potions, honey? This is all my magic, combined with knowledge of the future from your little champion.” Deciding that he’s heard enough, Warriors pressed the blade against Cia’s neck.

“Get him out. Get him out right now or I swear to Hylia I will-”

“You’ll what? You’ll kill me?” she tapped her fingers on the sword. “You do realize that by killing me, you’ll doom him? I’m the only person that can get him out and I'm not going to."

"Why not?"

"Why not? Why not?" Cia burst out laughing. "Gods the look on your face right now is priceless!"

"What do you want!?" He barked at the sorceress, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.

“Now we’re getting somewhere. Here, let me see…” Cia’s scepter materialized into her outstretched hand. “What I want is simple enough, Link.” She touched Warriors’ cheek gingerly. The captain flinched at the touch and attempted to take a step back but Cia kept him in place. “I want to see you suffer.” In one swift movement, the sorceress was on the ground, healing her now broken nose.

“You sicken me,” Warriors growled in a low voice, “I don’t know how Lana could ever be part of a witch like you.”

“Like it or not, we’re two halves of a whole; much like you and the shadow.”

“At least the shadow isn’t a crazed lunatic lusting after someone they can never have.”

“You’re right about one part: I won’t have you. So I’ll just settle with the champion. By the time I’m through with him, he’ll be a hollow shell of himself; all mine for the taking.” Warriors promptly burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he wheezed out, “That’s what you’re up to? All this because you don’t have a boyfriend? Are you that desperate?”

“Why you-!” Cia brandished her whip and in an instant, Warriors was on the defensive, sidestepping as the sorceress’s whip struck the very spot the captain was standing in.

“Aw,” Warriors smirked, “Did I hurt your feelings?” Cia growled in response. Good. She’s sloppy when she’s angry. She snapped her fingers and the room around them seemed to flicker out of reality. When it stopped, the tank Wild was in was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did he go?!”

“Don’t worry, I just changed rooms, that’s all.” the captain ducked as Cia’s whip nearly electrocuted him. “You want to talk about hurt feelings, Link? Then tell me how did the champion end up in this situation in the first place?” Cia’s whip wrung Warrior’s sword from his grasp. The captain glared at her. “Oh wait! You called him a liability for regaining his memories!”

“I didn't know that’s what happened!” he protested. He rolled away from her whip and recollected his sword. Adopting a technique used by Wind, Warriors struck Cia’s knees with the blunt end of the sword.

“Ah but you of all people know that secrets aren’t anyone's business unless the holder wants it to be.” She stumbled backward and summoned a couple of monsters to keep the captain busy. “Or should I spread the word of the real reason behind the war across the eras?”

“Okay I get it,” Warriors swung his sword in a graceful arc, cleaving a bokoblin in two. “I messed up with the champion but that’s not of any concern to you.”

“Well you know me, meddling in the affairs of time and heroes is my forte. The champion just happened to pique my interest more than the Hero of Twilight.”

“Ah yes, the most compelling motive of them all: your insatiable curiosity regarding men.” He quipped back. Cia rushed at Warriors, her scepter pressing against Warrior’s sword. “You do realize that Wild is a kid, correct? Should I tell the Pirate to look out now?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it!” She pressed him back and switched back to her whip. “Honestly, all of you heroes are the same.” A lizalfos appeared behind the captain, who almost managed to dodge its spear. He spared a glance to see that, thankfully, it was not too bad of a wound. Well, thats another scar to my ever-growing collection.

“Wild said the same thing?” He gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword.

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. Wild doesn’t respond to kidnappings like normal people.” a third voice piped up. Cia dodged just as a ball of fire flew right past her. Hyrule tossed Warriors a red potion. “For the side wound.”

“Thanks, Hyrule.” The traveler nodded in acknowledgment before setting his sword ablaze with fire magic and putting the sorceress on the defensive.

“Sorcery?” Cia growled.

“I’ve been told I come to be rather good at it in the future,” Hyrule grinned. The two of them locked blades and flames began to spread through the room. The captain shielded himself from the fire and took care of the remaining monsters in the throne room.

“Hyrule!” Warriors ducked as Cia launched a spell at him. “Do you know how to undo enchantments?”

“Somewhat.”

“Good enough. Wild is in the room below us, stuck in an enchanted tank that is slowly corrupting him. I can handle her, you get him out.”

“You will be doing no such thing,” Cia threatened as she summoned a swarm of keese to charge at the traveler. However, before they could reach him, a prism made of shadows captured all the keese and, in one go, a blur mauled through them all.

“Wolfie?” The wolf in question shifted back into Twilight. He gave Hyrule a onceover before pulling out his own sword.

“Go free Wild, I’ll cover you.” Hyrule nodded and ran for the door, with a couple of bokoblins on his tail.

“Weren’t you supposed to be at the castle?”

“Ya really thought I’d listen?” He narrowed his eyes at the captain.

"Yeah," Warriors sword ran straight through one of Cia's duplicates, "Should've seen that coming." A wall of fire much like the one Wild conjured a couple days ago soon encased the three of them.

“Good to see you lived, Hero of Twilight. I wonder how the champion will react when he sees you up and about.”

“Too bad you won’t be around to find out.”

“Are you going to kill me?” Cia scoffed. Twilight’s sword slashed through a Cia duplicate like it was paper.

“No. But you’ll wish I had.” Warriors finished off the last duplicate with practiced ease. As Twilight charged forward, Warriors went behind her, searching for an opening. Cia growled at them and blasts them both away with a gust of wind magic. The rancher swapped to his iron boots to steel himself against the current. He grabbed Warriors by his scarf as he nearly went flying into the wall of fire, wincing at the sudden jerk of his injured side. The captain landed unceremoniously at Twilight's feet.

“Thanks.” The rancher nodded in response. Cia growled in frustration and stopped the current. Warriors got to his feet and Twilight switched out of his iron boots. The sorceress duplicated herself once more and unleashed a barrage of lightning attacks. The two of them dodged the arcs of lightning as they bounced off the walls.

“I have a plan.” Twilight called over the noise of the lightning. “But it’s reckless by your standards.”

“Seems like that’s something I’ll have to get used to then,” Warriors ducked a blow from duplicate Cia’s scepter. “What do you need me to do?”

“How many bombs do ya got?” Twilight kicked Cia (the real one) backwards.

Chapter Text

Hyrule stabbed the final bokoblin before rushing out of the hallway and into a room that had a disturbing amount of pictures. Did Warriors really pose for all these? The traveler began to quickly look around the room for the glowing tomb the captain had described, only for the doors to shut behind him.

“Well that's just lovely,” he mumbled. “Well at least…” the traveler didn’t even finish his sentence before a shadow wrenched itself free from one of the pictures.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!” Hyrule readied his sword and rushed to meet Shadow Link’s head-on.

The fires from Cia and Hyrule’s brief trade of blows began to subside, smoke filling the room. Warriors and Twilight stood side by side while Cia steadily got to her feet.

“You look tired, sorceress,” Warriors called out, catching her ire. “Don’t tell me that’s all you got.”

“You know very well that’s not everything in my tank, captain,” she said suggestively. “And if I recall correctly, we both had quite a bit of fun.” Twilight looked like he wanted to be sick.

“Just what did you two do back then?”

“Nothing!” Warriors voice went up a whole octave. Cia laughed at the captain’s flusteredness. While the sorceress was distracted, Twilight shifted forms and disappeared into the smoke. “Nothing happened between us and you know it, sorceress.”

“You and I remember the War very differently,” Cia’s scepter lit up with magic once more. Warriors ducked just as a blast of magic went soaring over his head. Another blast from Cia’s scepter ripped across the room, searing through the smoke. Warriors ducked behind a fallen column as molten stone rained down from the ceiling. The air stung with heat, and every breath tasted like ash.

Cia was laughing again. “Come now, Captain. If you want to dance, then you can't be hiding away.”

He didn’t respond. He was too busy scanning the haze, trying to spot where Twilight had gone. His sword was still in hand, his stance ready, but the longer they waited, the more volatile Cia became.

A faint shimmer moved through the smoke.

There.

A blur of shadows and fur darted around the outer edge of the chamber, low to the ground. Small metal bombs rolled from beneath him, scattered in a growing circle around Cia. They hissed faintly as their timers ticked down.

Warriors cleared his throat. “You know, for someone with a god complex, you’re really fond of monologues.”

Cia’s eyes narrowed. “Still mouthing off, I see.”

“That’s kind of my thing.” He ran at her. Warriors feinted to the left as she unleashed another blast of magic. He met the next blast head on, slashing upwards (like Fi had taught him). Sparks flew as steel met magic. The impact forced him back, but he kept her focus. Warriors surged forward, ducking and full on shoving Cia backwards.

Right into the first bomb. The floor shook beneath their feet as the explosion threw Cia off-balance. Before she could react, the second one ignited behind her, sending her stumbling forward. Warriors met her mid-step, slamming his shield into her side. She shrieked and reeled, crashing straight into the third.

“What is this?!”

“A rather reckless plan if I do say so myself,” Warriors grinned, “But it works.” The walls cracked. Debris tumbled from the ceiling in chunks. A pillar near the entrance collapsed entirely, sending up a spray of dust and flame. Twilight reappeared behind her in Hylian form, and despite the pain in his side, he gracefully swung his sword, slashing her back and driving her straight into the fourth and fifth charges.

The floor buckled beneath them. A jagged crack split through the stone like lightning. Cia hit the ground, half-dazed, her scepter sliding from her grip and spinning across the chamber.

“Captain, the scepter!” Twilight hollered.

Warriors sprinted. Cia, with one hand on her stomach wound, reached toward the scepter, but his boot met her wrist first. She cried out. His sword followed, crashing down against the side of her head with the flat of the blade.

She dropped just as the clocktowers bells began chiming.

Midnight.

Warriors stood over her, chest heaving, smoke curling past his boots. He didn’t quite dare look at Twilight yet. The rancher’s glare had a weight that could flatten a Hinox.

Twilight nudged Cia’s side with his boot to be sure she was out. Satisfied, he hissed as pain bit deep into his ribs. Warriors turned just in time to see him brace a hand against the wall, blood soaking fresh through the old wrap at his side.

"Rancher?" Warriors stepped forward. "You're—"

"Shut up." Twilight spat the words like they were made of venom. "Ain't your concern." Warriors fell quiet. The rancher glared at the empty doorway, then at the now ruined chamber. He took one unsteady step towards the door, toward where Wild waited below, and nearly buckled. Warriors caught his elbow before he hit the ground.

"Don't touch me," he snapped, wrenching his arm away. He pressed his palm hard to the wound, breathing shallow through his nose.

"Twilight," Warriors started, but the rancher cut him off, voice low and sharp as a blade.

"I should be the one goin’ for him. But I ain't stupid enough to think I’ll make it two steps in this state down there." Twilight locked eyes with the captain, fury flickering with something else. The ghost of trust, heavy with warning.

"You’re gonna go in my place," he said, voice rough. "You’re gonna find the champion, and you’re gonna bring him home."

“I will,” Warriors said resolutely. “I promise.”

Twilight’s snarl softened into a grim smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Ya better. ‘Cause if ya screw this up like ya screwed up before, I will drag myself down there and gut ya myself."

Before Warriors could respond, footsteps thundered down the corridor behind them.

"Damn, where’s the fire?" Wind coughed as he skidded into view, crossbow raised and hair wind-tossed. He blinked at Cia’s unconscious form, then grinned. "Whoa. You guys wrecked her."

"Keep her that way," Twilight muttered, slumping against the wall.

Legend appeared just behind Wind, eyes narrowing at the scene. "Is that blood; wait scratch that, Twilight, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too.”

“Old man’s gonna be pissed,” Wind chimed in. “And the smith owes me 20 rupees!”

“I’ll live,’ the rancher chuckled.

Legend rolled his eyes and knelt beside Cia, picking up the scepter and examining it. "We’ll guard the room. Go." Wind flashed him a thumbs up before grabbing some rope from his satchel. Warriors glanced at Twilight, at Wind, at Legend, and then bolted for the door.

Chapter Text

Wild opened his eyes to bright blue light. After realizing he is not, in fact, dead, he tried to sit up, only to find his space very limited. Ah, I’m back in the shrine. The memories of the events over the last few days suddenly came back to him and he realized that this was not the shrine, but that crazy witch’s evil version of it. Wild could hear the sounds of swords clashing and explosions outside of this place. They came for me! He immediately began kicking at the glass, trying to get it to break.

“Please work…” he muttered. Wild squirmed to try to make more room for himself when he heard something thump against the glass. “Wait…” He patted himself down only to find that his sheikah slate was still on him! That idiot sorceress didn’t take it from him before tossing him into the coffin shrine. Wild went through his weapons until he found the one he was sure would work against Cia’s magic; the ancient battle ax. He equipped it and in one clean swing, the prison was cut in two.

“Oh thank Hylia,” he exited the prison and headed out of the room. Only to be met with Cia staring at him in bewilderment.

“How did you get out?” she asked.

“You forgot to take this,” he proudly held up the Sheikah slate, “Y’know the one thing I keep all my weapons in.“ He pulled out his claymore. “Now if you excuse me, I’ve got friends waiting for me on the other side.” Cia ducked as Wild swung the claymore right where her head had been. She changed out her scepter for a sword and blocked Wild’s next strike. He kicked her away with enough force to send her back a few feet. She landed standing upward and wasted no time in charging at the champion. However, she was not fast enough to avoid him clipping her shoulder. She backed up, her free hand clutching her bleeding shoulder.

“Where’s that excitement from earlier? Or do you only get excited when other people get hurt?” He sneered. Cia gave him a weird look. Wild switched from his claymore to his guardian spear.

“What is that?” she questioned.

“A guardian spear. You didn’t recognize it when you were going through my memories?”

“Going through your memorie- shit!” Cia doubled back as Wild opted to hit her with the blunt end of the spear, right in the face. The sorceress wiped the small trickle of blood from the side of her lip.

“Wild, I think you might have this all wrong-” Cia started.

“Your poisoning didn’t work, I’m still fighting you and only you. So what’s wrong with this picture to you?”

“Ah, so that’s how it is.” Cia slashed at Wild, leaving a large gash on his sword arm. Wild switched hands, equipping a shield for his injured arm. The champion deflected her strike with his shield before launching a kick at her midsection. He swung the spear, merely missing her throat by a few inches. Fortunately, though, another scar was added to the collection of them he’s given to Cia. He tried again, only this time, the sorceress knocked the spear out of his hand and swung a shield right at his head. The champion staggered back from the sorceress’ shield bash, clutching his head. Cia slowly walked towards him and then…

She dropped her sword and put her hands up cautiously. Wild blinked in confusion.

“Wha-” Suddenly it was not Cia standing in front of him but rather “...Captain?” Warriors smiled at him, blood trickling down the side of his mouth. His arms were littered with cuts and bruises; each in the places he struck Cia.

“Yeah, it’s me, champion.”

“Oh goddesses…” Wild recalled the giddy expression on the sorceress’s face before he had gone under. You won’t be able to tell friend from foe! He scrambled to catch the Captain as he fell to his knees “Warriors! Shit- are you okay? Goddesses what have I done-”

“Wild,” Warriors cut him off. “I’m fine. Feel like I’ve been run over by a horse, but other than that, I’m peachy. How about you? Back with us completely?”

“Ye-yeah. Goddesses, I’m sorry I didn’t know it was you she had me in this kinda poisonous tombstone thing and it kinda messed with my head. Wait I didn’t hurt anyone else did I?”

“Nope, just me. And It’s okay. I know about the mind control thing. Plus I kinda deserved this one for being an asshole.”

“Wait what?” the champion stared at him in confusion. “I mean yeah you’re an asshole but it doesn’t warrant me nearly killing you.”

“She told me what happened to you. How she was playing your deepest fears against you and what exactly the tombstone was supposed to be a replica of.”

“Oh.” Wild looked down, “Probably confirmed everything you thought of me didn’t she?”

“What- no!” Warriors grabbed Wild by the shoulders, wincing slightly as he moved his injured arm, “It made me think the opposite actually. You’ve faced a lot of things in your past and you’re entitled to tell us about them when you want to. But what you dealt with was probably a hell of a lot more than I have and yet I’m the one that called you inexperienced and a liability. So I’m sorry about what I said. You don’t have to forgive me if you don’t want to but nevertheless, you deserved the apology at the very least.”

“Good to know you don’t think I’m a failure…But it’ll take some time to get over all of that.”

“Take all the time you need, Champion,” The champion stood up and held his hand out. Warriors smiled and grabbed Wild’s hand, letting him pull him to his feet.

“Oh, and Wars? Would you mind not telling anyone about the stuff that sorceress told you?”

“What things?” He gave Wild a knowing look. “I have no idea what things you could be referring to. I think you hit me a little too hard with that weapon of yours.” The champion laughed in response.

“Wait, where is she anyways?”

“Legend, Wind, and Twilight were with her last I checked. She’s incapacitated though.” Wild helped Warriors into the next room where Legend was fiddling with Cia’s scepter while Wind was playing 20 million questions with an unwilling Cia.

“So why white? You do realize that it makes you look older right?” Cia glared at him. “Not to mention your outfit is literally worse than Legend’s and he doesn’t even wear pants!” Wind was immediately bonked on the head by the scepter.

“Don’t compare me to her! She’s barely wearing anything!”

“Don’t bonk me with the scepter! What if it turns me evil?”

“Then you’ll end up in an outfit worse than hers,” Legend deadpanned. Wind’s eyes went wide in horror as he imagined the possibility.

“Legend, if I ever announce that I'm not wearing pants anymore or anything equally atrocious, please promise me that you’ll kill me.”

“Don’t worry,” Warriors decided to make his presence known, “I’ll kill you before you can consider it.” Cia growled at the pair of them but was met with the blunt end of her own scepter knocking her out in response.

“There’s not much wrong with not wearing pants?” Wild stared at Wind and Warriors in confusion, “I’ve tried it a couple of times, it's not too bad.” Legend patted Wild on the back and helped him with Warriors.

“Glad you’re alright, Wild.”

“Clearly he’s mental if he’s siding with you of all people,” Wind grumbled, but hugged Wild regardless. He looked up at him, “Fair warning, Twilight’s pissed you traded yourself for him.” Wild winced at the realization.

“Welp, I’ve had a good run. I’ll be perishing at the hands of a long-ass lecture and intense smothering.”

“He was here when I left you guys. Where did he go?”

“The old man came to help and when he saw we had it handled, he just grabbed Twilight and walked out. We told him we’d wait for you guys before meeting up with them,” Wind explained.

“I have to ask,” Legend turned towards the captain, “You didn’t go in there looking like this and we have the witch here. So what happened in there?”

“Um, I kinda happened,” Wild answered sheepishly. “She tricked me into thinking I was fighting her but it turned out I was fighting Warriors.” Legend burst out laughing while Wind stared at the pair with stars in his eyes.

“Tell me every move he did and what you did to counter them. I am keeping my streak of beating the adults in sparring alive!”

“Wait who did you beat so far?”

“Four and Time.” Wild stared at Wind in surprise just as Legend regained his bearings.

“You do know that’s the most poetic irony that’s happened on this quest, right? You, who discredited his ability to fight, got your ass handed to you by him.”

“I’m well aware, Legend, thank you, now would you mind helping me with this?” Warriors had started tending to his wounds and was now trying to wrap them. Legend grabbed the roll of bandages and got to work.

“Someone’s salty,” Wind sang. Wild was muffling his laughter.

“Wind, not you too!”

Chapter Text

They met the others outside the fortress. Wild barreled into Twilight, the latter not even stumbling as he caught the champion in an embrace despite his injuries.

“We are gonna be talking about those self-sacrificial tendencies,” Twilight told him as he let him go.

“Well if anything,” Time spoke up, ruffling Wild’s hair, “I should be lecturing the both of you on it; considering we agreed you would be staying at the castle, Rancher.”

“I never agreed to anythin.”

“Are you okay, Wars?” Four questioned. “You look like a hinox sat on you.”

“I’ll be alright. Nothing life-threatening,” he answered dismissively. “How’s Sky?”

“Having the worst headache of my life, thank you,” Sky smiled. “Can’t believe those lynels ganged up on me.”

“To be fair, you did take one and a half of them down already!” Wind reassured him.

“How do you take down half a lynel?” Wild questioned.

“More importantly,” Warriors did a mental headcount, “I sent the traveler ahead of me while I held Cia off. Where’d he go?” Legend’s eyes went wide with alarm.

“I swear to the goddesses if he got lost again-”

“Don’t worry, Legend, I’m here,” Hyrule rejoined the group, out of breath and covered in black blood.

“What the hell happened to you?” Wind exclaimed. The traveler had a haunted look on his face.

“Let’s just say that sorceress is very much obsessed with the captain. Oh, and she can make shadow monsters.”

“Ah,” Warriors winced, “You saw the shrine room, didn’t you?”

“I saw the shrine room.”

“What’s the shrine room?” Legend questioned.

“Trust me, you don’t want to know,” Warriors answered with an equally haunted look.

It had taken two more days for Twilight to recover completely. During which, Warriors bid farewell to Zelda and got to experience his first portal. (And Time lectured both Twilight and Wild for a rather long time.)

“So let me get this straight,” Their newest addition looked around, barely stumbling to his feet, “You guys go through these portals to reach other Hyrules?”

“Yep!” Wind cheerfully answered, helping Four to his feet, “Every few days or so; I think your hyrule was the shortest time we’ve stayed in a while, Captain.” Warriors looked at the group, barely keeping his lunch in.

“Everyone here?” Time questioned. Various grunts and acknowledgements echoed through the group.

“How-how did you keep it together?” Four glared at the captain with the hatred of a thousand suns.

“Barely,” Warriors admitted before looking around at the lush fields and towers in the distance. “So who’s era is this?” Wild immediately perked up upon seeing the tower in the distance.

“Oh cool, we’re home,” he pulled out his sheikah slate.

“Great, now we have to walk everywhere,” Wind sighed. Sky patted him on the shoulder exasperatedly.

“Well if it makes you feel better, sailor, we’re not too far from a stable. Maybe an hour away at most.” Wind groaned overdramatically.

“A little walking won’t kill us, sailor,” Warriors said. Time nodded in agreement.

“I could carry ya if ya want,” Twilight offered, “Used to do it for the kids back home.”

“Thanks but I’m not a child,” Wind shot back, “I’ll manage.” Hyrule field had settled into a deceptive peace, birds chirped softly overhead, and the wind rustled the canopy with a lazy calm. After a few minutes, the fields around them became quiet.

Too quiet.

Wild perked up, immediately reaching for his slate just as Twilight unsheathed his sword.

“Ya noticed it too?” Twilight questioned. Wild nodded, turning his ancient battle axe towards the trees.

“Noticed what?” Four questioned.

“Show yourself,” Wild demanded. Nobody showed, but the telltale laughter echoed through the trees.

“Ah great,” the rancher mumbled, “Yiga.” Their signature red talismans filled the air and the heroes soon found themselves surrounded by Yiga Clan footsoldiers and bladesmen.

“Yiga?” Warriors parroted.

“Traitors to the crown,” Wild explained.

“Well,” the captain’s sword was already out, “Nothing I loathe more than a traitor.”

“Welcome home, Hero,” one of them exclaimed sarcastically, “Now die!” Without missing a beat, Wild moved forward and cleaved the footsoldier in half. The field was chaos. Blades clashed, talismans lit the air, and shouts echoed through the trees. Warriors kept moving, striking down a footsoldier before pivoting to block another.

To his left, Wind vaulted off a Yiga's shoulders, landing with a flourish as he knocked two more down. Legend was shouting something at Four as he shot down another footsolider with magic. Four flipped him off and just tackled an archer. Honestly, the captain could tell these traitors would be easy to deal with.

Then he spotted Wild.

The champion had stopped moving. His axe hung slack at his side, body frozen, eyes wide and unfocused. Right in the middle of the battlefield.

"Wild?" Warriors called out, but the younger hero didn’t respond.

One of the blademasters saw it too and was already charging.

Warriors didn’t think. He pushed off the ground and sprinted toward him, shoving past a footsoldier that tried to intercept him. Just before the blade could connect, he grabbed Wild by the front of the tunic and yanked him backward, both of them stumbling hard into the grass.

The strike missed by inches.

Warriors rolled to his feet and dispatched the blademaster in one clean motion before turning back. Wild blinked rapidly, like coming out of a trance, lips parted in surprise.

"You alright?" Warriors asked.

Wild hesitated. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Just another memory.”

“Was it a good one?” Warriors wiped the blood off his blade.

“Yeah. It was.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Warriors said, offering his hand. Before Wild could take it, a voice rang out—

"Less talking and more stabbing banana fanatics!" Legend shouted from somewhere near the treeline.

Warriors rolled his eyes and helped Wild up. “Come on, champion, we got traitors to kill.” Wild grinned and pulled out his duplex bow and fire arrows.

And with that, the two of them plunged back into the fight, fire and blades at the ready.