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Chapter Text

Shadow promised that it wasn't his fault for getting so distracted. He honestly didn't expect to run into Erune before he had even left castle town. She was rightfully concerned about Link so Shadow pointed her in the right direction. And admittedly they spoke longer than they probably should have but it wasn't his fault that Erune was concerned for her friend. Link would have wanted Shadow to tell her everything that happened and send her over to the castle. And yes that may have taken longer then he might have liked but Shadow was still on pace to go to the sword and back long before a cavalry could even be assembled.

As soon as he was done speaking with her he darted back into the Shadows. He was out of Castle Town before Erune could even get to the castle gates.

Before he knew it, Shadow was skipping from shade to shade being casted by the forest surrounding the Four Sword. Here is where Shadow ran into his next distraction, a group of travelers. Admittedly he may have not even noticed them if it weren't for the holy magic radiating off one of the travelers like a searing flame.

Shadow got within five feet of that energy before he flew back to the treeline like a ping-pong ball. After the initial jolt of fear, thinking he was about to get lit aflame, his curiosity won over. He crept up the side of a tree, keeping as hidden as possible while watching the group.

The person with the light radiating from him looked too kind to pick up a sword. He was soft and plush, not regal or fierce like Link or Zelda but still, something about the man utterly disturbed Shadow (ignoring the blade that was probably glowing in its sheath with how much power it had).

Shadow skipped to a new tree, closer to the group. There were eight of these people all together, the longer Shadow focused on them, the more kinds of magic he could feel coming from them. In truth it was making his head hurt trying to keep track of all of it.

Shadow turned his attention to one Hylian that was radiating with just about every magic Shadow knew the name for and then some. Everything on this man from his blades to his rings to even his damned clothes were enchanted with something. Even Link with his ungodly amount of blessings placed upon him isn't that enchanted.

That actually seemed like quite a theme for these people. One eye had a mix of forest and light. One unassuming child was so fae-touched that Shadow was actually quite unsure if he was even Hylian.

Shadow turned his non physical head away. He should leave these fools to walk right into those black blooded monsters themselves…

But of course he didn't.

This was akin to a moth to a flame in such an ironic way. A dark being attracted to the light, he had to know more about this group. Shadow approached the one radiating light. It felt so familiar, just like Link and Zelda.

Shadow curled around his feet, resting in the darkness of his Shadows while basking in the light magic radiating from his sword-
SWORD! Shadow needs the Four Sword! He darted away from the group again. Zelda needed the sword, well Link did but that wasn't here nor there.

Shadow got back into the woods before a thought came to him. Link wouldn't want him to leave innocent travelers walking right into the den of beefed up monsters. Shadow had to get to the Sword, but, again, he was already doing this job faster than even Link could, and he had the bonus reason(excuse) of helping these people not get themselves killed!

Shadow hid his appearance, these people don't seem like the kind to react friendly to a red eyed, gray skinned and sharp toothed monster leaping out at them from the woods. He chose to disguise himself as Link for the moment, multi-colored tunic and all. He kept his cloak on over-top of the tunic, he would hate to be zapped of his power while keeping up a mirage.

Shadow watched the party travel just a while longer as he leapt from dark spot to dark spot to get a decent way in front of them. He sighed as he weighed his options one final time before strolling out of the woods just in front of the group.

He put on his best regal and demanding voice just as Zelda usually sounds when she doesn't approve of something Shadow has done. “Do you all know what you are walking into?” The few upfront spooked at his sudden appearance but thankfully none pulled their blades, even though some jerked their hands up to the weapons on instinct.

The whole group exchanged looks then back to Shadow. The lean one with an obnoxiously blue scarf spoke first. “We don't, sir. We would appreciate some directions if you wouldn't be bothered to assist us.”

That shocked Shadow but he held his tongue on how they could have possibly gone in this direction instead of any other, more traveled road. “Well, where are you trying to go? I know you can't be heading to the sanctuary, not with all the monsters here.”

They looked at each other again, very obviously lost and not doing good at hiding it. They were lucky that Shadow wasn't evil (anymore) or he very well could send them straight into that horde of monsters to be eaten. That actually sounded fun but he couldn't waste all the good boy points he'd been earning on some foolish wannabe heroes.

He spoke again, this time starting with a disgruntled huff as he put his hands on his hips. “You're serious? Ganondorf's asshole, I hate foreigners like you.” He loudly mumbled, hoping they would hear. “Okay, back that way “ he pointed the way he intended to go. “Is a horde of monsters with black blood. I don't know the implications of the black blood but it didn't sound nice when it was explained to me. Not a single one of you, “ He wiggled a finger at the group, “is safe from getting torn apart by them.”

There was a look in their eyes, of course they were planning to go that way now. It felt like dealing with Link, jumping head first into a dangerous situation without even stopping to think of it. Shadow tried once again to deter them. “That way,” he pointed behind the group. “It's straight to the castle, it's all nice and safe. Big town with lots of people, no monsters, I promise,” He added quickly “It won't happen again. There's also a good Goron run Ramen shop if you have the spice tolerance.”

The one-eyed forest magic man stepped forward to question Shadow. “What are you intending to do out here? Won't you need help with those monsters?”

Okay.. he is jumping to conclusions and properly calling Shadow out on walking around this damned place too. This is going to be a fun group one way or another for him.

Shadow sighed, long, hard and exaggerated with throwing his head down and shaking it. “You know I'm going to go there and you are all going to join me no matter what i say, is that right?”

They all looked vaguely shocked, like Shadow had just read their minds. It reminded him a lot of his own hero… speaking of, the light magic, the general look of pale skin and blondeish hair was strikingly similar as well… were these heroes too? Well, more pointedly, was every single hero type so confident that they could lie? If these were heroes then this was his first time meeting heroes that weren't part of the rainbow and he could already see the family resemblance.

Shadow answered his question while pushing away the hero idea for now. “I'm going to sneak past them, get the sword from its pedestal. Pray to the goddesses that I don't unleash more unholy ick or ire onto the world then go straight back to the castle for matters that are far more important than acting as a tour guide for foreigners playing hero with things they should not touch.”

The hero look-and-act-a-like with pink hair took a step forward that was probably supposed to be intimidating. “We can help, I doubt anyone your size can take out black blooded monsters on your own.

Shadow bit back, he and Link were both very capable at killing monsters! “I will gladly take out those ankles of yours any day other than right now. Actually,” He stepped closer too, staring up at the man with a pointed look and yet another distraction for later. “meet me at the castle if you want a first hand example of it.”

“Link.” The eldest and tallest mock hero warned. Shadow froze up immediately. How in the ever-loving shit did he know Link? Well.. everyone knew the hero but these people hadn't been here long enough to know his face, right?

Pinky backed up with a scoff. Shadow gathered together his sense of urgency again. “Well if you wanna play heroes, I will not stop you but, I have plenty of work to do.”

Pinky scoffed again. “And what about you? I'm sure you parents wouldn't want you-”

“Legend.” The leader warned again. This time Pinky, Legend, backed down. The leader turned his attention to Shadow, who had taken a few steps away from the group, intending to leave this conversation one way or another. “I'm sorry if this may come off as a little odd of a question, but have you met the hero? We're looking for him.”

Shadow glared, this felt like a question they knew the answer to. He hated these rhetorical question games, especially the ones Vio gives him.. “Yes, all four of them, now I do have things to do that don't include babysitting. Goodbye.” He did a formal little bow, hoping that the clear annoyance on his face and the sarcastic body language would let them know he wasn't interested in continuing a conversation but it didn't seem to work in his favor at all.

As he turned away he heard multiple steps of feet scramble to walk with him. He sighed, not bothering to look at them. One of them called out but he didn't care to know which one. “We can help you, we all know how to fight.” The voice sounded young, he probably didn't know how to fight with or without a blade

Shadow continued to walk, just keeping his eyes out for any sort of ambush or movement in the woods. “You're not really helping by telling every fairy, monster and wild animal the exact kind of armor you all have on. You know, there is a reason why I'm wearing leather and not stomping on twigs.” He let annoyance hiss off his tongue

Someone rushed up to him, starting to walk beside him. Shadow glanced at the kid, the shortest of the bunch and one of the two wearing blue. His magic felt like the winds over an ocean “If yer going on a stealth mission, then there's no need to worry about us. We can slink through the bushes and they won't even see us coming.” Shadow was beginning to feel genuinely annoyed. Zelda was going to wring his neck out when he got back.

Someone piped up from the back of the group. “Says the loudest one here!”

The kid beside him yelled ‘Hey!’ And left Shadow alone for a moment to bicker with the other one.. more noise… How great. Even the rainbow got along more than this group, and the whole point of Link being able to split is to work out his frustration and fight until he could learn to actually solve problems.

Eventually, the flock of heroes would put to rest their constant chatter and bickering, which was good because in the distance, Shadow could already see the ruins poking out of the dense brush. The sight made Shadow pause because.. Where were these monsters that the knights and Link swore were guarding this exact road?

He stopped dead in his tracks, prompting his entourage to skid to a halt as well. None of the heroes dared to question why he stopped, luckily for him, they did actually have some smarts to them.

Shadow resisted the urge to duck low and slip into a hiding spot. If monsters were nearby then they knew where the group was. But where were they? When Link and those knights came here earlier, less than a week ago, he knew they left monsters alive in their rush to get back to the castle but where had they gone?

Shadow slowly crept forward, then spooked as he heard the footsteps of the heroes behind him. He had nearly forgotten them being there. He gave them a nasty look before he continued down the path, weaving around bushes and sticks to make sure he didn't make a noise.

Noise… that was what was unnerving him so much. The world of light was always so loud, birds and bugs for the most part kept the world loud day and night but here. It was silent. Of course the wind still blew but it only made it more apparent that life had gone still.

There was a roar of light magic from just down the path, right between two large pillars on either side of the ruined road. Shadow stumbled backward, nearly ramming right into one of the people following him in his desperate attempt to stay away from whatever could have caused that flare in power.

Shadow could see it. A little, almost miniscule speck among the trees, hanging in the air just between the pillars. As soon as Shadow's eyes caught it, he couldn't look away, whether it was from a fear of the magic it possessed or just his morbid curiosity (Both). The speck grew, spinning and glimmering. Shadow could feel the thrums of light rocking over the trees.

Shadow expected it to hurt, it was a light magic after all but instead it was almost rocking against him. Not burning or searing like it should but it was almost comforting, like moon light.

Some of the heroes walked beside him. The fae with brown hair and green tunic spoke. “Another portal? Already? We just got here.”

One-eye looked down at Shadow. Shadow tried to not make it obvious that he tightened his cloak around himself. One-eye spoke. “Well, I hate to say this but I think you may be coming with us, Link.”

Shadow pinned his ears at the name. He knew he hadn't told them his name, well, Link's name. Now Shadow's emotions were on display as the older man laughed, patting Shadow's shoulder. “You knew we were heroes, why is it absurd that we know you're a Link too.” Shadow didn't remember actually calling them heroes without mocking them for it but it's whatever makes them happy he guesses.

Another one sighed, Legend. “I know we're shit at explaining this but welcome to the team. We're all named Link, we've been traveling through those portals and as far as we know, need to hunt down these black-blooded monsters, the same ones giving you trouble.”

Shadow looked at the portal as it perfectly filled the space between the two pillars. There was a curiosity, or pull that wanted him to go to the portal. “I can't go. I have to get back to the castle with that sword.”

Shadow started away from the group, almost coming to a jog as he made his way around the portal. Someone called out. “Legend tried that already, you'll just-” A waft of light headed for him. He flinched, ready to leap into the darkness to escape but it caught him. Shadow felt his form be turned inside out as he was dragged into the portal.

Chapter Text

The light crawled at his skin, writhing and trying to bury its ugly head into his being like a worm through dirt. Shadow tried to fight back, to bite and kick at the invasive magic but his body wasn't whole. Shadow was between the physical and magical, like being placed in Link's Shadow. His darkness flared as he tried to scare off the intruding light.

The mass of light skittered before quickly growing impatient. Shadow pushed back with a bead of his own darkness dribbling into the light. The rival power flared at him. A needle of it struck deep within him. His form cracks open then light and dark mixes; oil and water stirs and makes something new.

Shadow was given form again.

He curled in on himself, tightening his cloak around his body as the world twisted and turned in sickening waves. He barely noticed the others stepping out of the portal around him.

He felt someone shake his shoulder gently but he couldn't find the ability to respond to them.

He heard them talking but he couldn't find the energy to listen. He knew his disguise had to have fallen by now. Truthfully, he was surprised he hadn't melted into a pool of dark ink.

Shadow felt himself get lifted upwards. He felt his head and stomach swim. He kept his mouth clamped shut as the person who picked up him walked and just jostled around more. Shadow couldn't let himself puke on this guy, Link wouldn't want to have Shadow embarrassing him like that. He couldn't believe anyone was brave enough to pick him up while he felt like a rotten fruit trapped in its skin.

Shadow felt his mind start to slip as he was moved. He did his best to stay awake but as the sun beat down on him, the person holding him was not being careful to stop him from being exposed to light, and it only drained him of the rest of his magic.

It was a dizzying venture trying to wake up in the aftermath of whatever that portal was. Shadows senses came back to him in isolated beats. He felt his head pounding first, followed by an increase in pain as he grimaced. He tried to lax his face and ears to avoid getting any more pain flares. He was focused on that point for a long while, just wallowing in his own self pity before he remembered the whole reason why his head hurt like he was stomped on by a hinox.

He jolted, initially going to sit up until another flash of pain had him laying back down like he had hit a brick wall. He wanted to so badly just melt away into nothing again. Everything hurt. He tried focusing on something, anything other than the drumming in his head. He was laying down, obviously. There was something soft to his back and something fluffy over top of him, a blanket it felt like.

Shadows hearing felt very much like trying to wade through swamp water. Everything was hazy, your shoes keep getting stuck in the mud and the crickets are too damn loud. Aside from the constant ringing in his head, the noise of trees rustling and wind were making him about to scream, though, he was sure screaming now would just about kill his brain.

So, Shadow laid there, and laid there. He could feel himself regaining his magic as the migraine slipped away in bits and pieces. He tried to flip to his side and discovered that his blanket had weight to it. It practically pinned him to the ground. He cracked open his eyes, glad to see that it was pitch black out.

That little relief was stuck down when he saw the absolute monster of a wolf that was laying on him. Shadow wasn't stupid by any means, he knew quite well the difference between a wolf and a dog, and that was probably a few hundred pounds. The thing in front of him was large enough for him and Link to ride on.

Shadow must have made a noise, because next thing he knew, that monster was looking him in the eyes, nose nearly tip to tip with his own. Now, he had gotten himself into situations much worse than this before, but truthfully, he had no idea what to do. He tried to turn incorporeal bit found himself unable to. This big behemoth was still looking at him. It knew he was awake. So he stayed still, he didn't want to piss it off

The giant wolf snorted before laying its head back down besides Shadow's own head. Goddesses, it could probably just open its mouth and eat him whole.

Shadow slowly turned his head. Maybe one of those heroes were nearby, surely they wouldn't think the wolf was safe to be around, right? From where he was laying he could spot two of them. It was hard to tell who they were but Shadow knew that they were there at least. He should- his thoughts stopped as the wolf moved again. It slowly stood up like it was scared of jostling Shadow. Then it just padded away from the group.

Once it was gone from sight, Shadow sat up. His head pounded with the change, he had almost forgotten about being so low on mana. He ignored his brain trying to tug him to lay back on his bed roll… well, it wasn't his but he was on it. All of the other heroes were sleeping around him, he thinks so anyway. He had counted eight earlier but right now, after a recount, there's only seven.

Almost as soon as he figured that out, the eighth hero walked out of the trees, the same patch of woods that wolf disappeared into. The man spotted him and smiled. “How are you feeling?” The Hero whispered as he came to sit beside Shadow.

“As ‘bout as good as I can be after that nonsense.” speaking did not help his headache, just as he expected..

“Well that's good.” The man was watching the others at the fire. “We were worried about you. You were out like a light.”

Shadow simply hummed at him before he laid back down. He was probably safe here. “You need to keep a better eye out, that wolf could have ate me.”

The man had the audacity to laugh at him. “Wolfie? He's not dangerous, I promise. He's my wolf. He helps me herd my goats back home.” Shadow rolled his eyes at that. Of course one of these heroes befriended a wolf of all things, just like Red and his collection of strays at home. Goddesses, if he sees one of these heroes riding a lynel he's going to scream.

Speaking of screaming, that damned pain was creeping back into Shadow’s skull like water draining from a leak. “I go by Twilight.” The man started. “We’re all named Link so we use nicknames to tell us apart.”

Shadow let out an irritated whine as he twisted to plant his face into the ground. This man was getting too loud and the full moon was giving off too much light. Even the ambient magic here was making him slightly sick. It was the kind of malice that left a bitter taste in the back of your throat and had a smell that was far too similar to boiling poison.

Twilight shifted beside him. “You sure you're okay?” Shadow gave the man a glare, to which he had the audacity to chuckle at Shadow.

“Where even are we?” The stench of this place was starting to get to him.

“That's complicated. We are traveling through time. We don't exactly have it plotted out whose time is when but we landed in Hyrule's.. Hyrule.”

Shadow thought he misheard for a second or just stopped paying attention. His head ache was starting to get on his last nerve but he could have sworn… “Did one of you call yourselves Hyrule??”

Twilight cackled. “He did and now that you're with us, you'll need a name too. I used my hero title and so did Hyrule, I think. But it's up to you. It's your name and all.”

Shadow grinned at this opportunity. He could give Link any name he wanted. So long as Shadow seemed sure of it, the other heroes would not question his willingness to name himself something ridiculous. Shadow immediately racked his brain for any absurd name but his headache induced decisions were… poor at best. Not even he really thought Dave or Bingus was something he could deal with being called for however long this adventure lasted for.

Rainbow was his next thought. It was the pet name he gave Link, he had one for each of the heroes but this made the most sense to use. Link would hate it. Zelda would throw a fit over it too. Coming back into town dressed as Link and having eight people calling him by Shadow's lovely little name for him will make Blue lose a few years off his life.

The thought admittedly made him smile just a bit harder before he remembered the trouble he was already going to be in when he got back. If he was lucky, Zelda would just give him a stern talking to. It wasn't his fault that he left through some weird, overly touchy portal! But if she figured out he was playing jokes on poor sick Link, then she would skin his hide.

Shadow was supposed to get that sword! He sat up again and looked Twilight right in the eye. “I need to get home, like, hours ago.” He didn't even need to glance around to know that it was midnight by now.

Twilight frowned like he actually cared about Shadow's situation. “If we could go wherever we pleased, we would have never left home. I'm sorry but there's no way back, at least until whatever brought us here decides otherwise.” Shadow felt his own eye twitch.

Well… if he was in this for the long run, Zelda was already going to be mad at him as it is, best not get himself sent back to Link's shadow over a joke. So Shadow, for maybe the first time in his life, took the safer approach. “Four. It's better than being called Sword.” And Link probably wouldn't want to be called Minish either. His height, while not a sensitive topic in any sense, isn't something he is too proud of. Most of his parts were okay with the permanent child size but the constant teasing still put a dent into their confidence.

“Four? I think that fits you actually. You already have to tunic for it.” He chuckled quietly at his own piss poor joke. Shadow let out a short and disgruntled sounding groan before laying back down. Finally Twilight got the hint that Shadow wanted more sleep. “You'll be good by yourself, won't you? I'm about to go to sleep myself. The Captain is going to be on watch after this so he'll be up if you need anything.”

Twilight waited around until Shadow gave him a short nod of his head. After that, he finally left Shadow alone. And now he could finally try to get some sleep, hopefully he won't wake up to himself about to get crushed by a wolf again.

Waking up the second time was just as fun as it was the first time but instead of his head killing him, he felt like he was on a stove. He immediately opened his eyes to figure out why he was so HOT and looked directly at the damned sun! To hell with the spirits, why does it always hurt to look at the sun!?

One of those heroes greeted him good morning but Shadow was more preoccupied to escape this bedroll and blankets these heroes ensnared him in. His view of the sun was blocked as one eye stood over him. Shadow glared at him as one eye looked down at him. “Do you need help?”

Shadow wriggled some more, ending up with his face to the ground. “I'm fine! Why did you wrap me up like this!” One eye sighed as he leaned down and grabbed a corner of the blanket Shadow wrapped himself in and pulled.

Shadow spun as the blanket unraveled, once his limbs were freed, he crawled to his feet and quickly looked at the goddess forsaken place the camp was in. “You kept turning over last night, no wonder you were so wrapped up.”

Shadow was convinced that there were actual living trees here last night but they were in an entirely dead forest, not leaf-baren trees but a forest of trees that are fully dead. So much for getting into the shade to escape that sun

“I assume that you are feeling well? Wild has made some porridge if you think you're up for something to eat.” Porridge sounded awful, especially when compared to the castle's amazing breakfasts and brunches.

Shadow pulled the cloak over himself. It's hot but at least it'll stop the sun from getting directly on him. “I'm not hungry.” One eye looked very unimpressed by that declaration.

That kid that was pestering Shadow yesterday ran up to him, bowl of that sloppy mess of food that Green likes for some horribly awful reason. “You should come join us! I'm Wind! That's Hyrule and Wild.” He pointed at the fae and a scarred teen Shadow didn't pay any mind to earlier. “That's Time!” He pointed up at one eye.

A man wearing a scarf spoke up before Wind could name all of them. “Wind, we can introduce ourselves just fine.” He was smiling politely at the kid. “I'm Warriors. You can call me the Captain too, whatever you think it's best.”

“Scarfy.” Shadow immediately answered with. Warriors looked a little stunned by that.

Wind cackled then handed Shadow a bowl of porridge. “I was hoping you would be fun! I was worried you were going to be another grouch like Legend.”

Legend looked over and rolled his eyes but he was more involved with his food rather than the conversation. Wind grabbed Shadow's arm and brought him over to the campfire, which Shadow was not excited to be near. It was dying but it was still giving off light. He could deal with it, for a little while at least. “So have you decided on your name yet?” Wind asked as he picked up his bowl

“Yeah, Four. After the Four Sword.” He pointed to the fake blade on his back.. which wasn't there, it was still laid out beside his bedroll.

“Four is a good nickname.” The soft looking one with the holy sword spoke up. “I'm Sky.” He smiled all too sweetly at Shadow. Something about the look made his skin crawl. Shadow already didn't like him. Thinking about it, this is probably the same feeling that four gets when looking at a cat. The fact that man can face Vaati but not a feline is still the funniest thing to Shadow.

Twilight joined the group at the fire. “As much as I love all of you, I really hope we stop picking folks up here, nine mouths are a lot to feed.”

“And I hope we get more!” Wind proclaimed. “I want to see more places like this!” They all seemed comfortable with each other. Shadow wonders to himself how long these people had been with each other before they came across him. He could ask but that fire is burning him alive, he already felt that he was going to be pissy all day because of this heat.

Legend walked past Shadow, that mess of enchants and spell on him made Shadow's head swirl. It was going to take time before he got used to that. He sighed quietly. While the others are distracting themselves, he may as well try to remember whose magic is whose.

The first aura he feels is from Wind. He is sitting right next to the kid so it makes sense. It feels familiar. It's a fresh breeze, almost exactly like Green's but unlike Green's magic that is more akin to fresh cool wind in a forest, Wind's is more like the salty gale that pushes waves and ships at sea.

Time is close by.. and odd. The base of his soul is a forest, like the minish. Many other magics stand on that base, there's too many to name but there's an overarching sense to them that reminds Shadow of stepping into a graveyard; but they're not sad or malicious like most of those spirits are but it's grateful, at peace. The people who gave him the magic did so willingly, trusting Time with their power with him.

Shadow didn't know who was beside Time, he thought it would be funny to guess who it was. The man's magic was between Shadow's darkness and Link's light. Shadow smiled because he could guess who it was. Twilight. It would be too perfect that he named himself based on his type of magic. Shadow peeked around Time and grinned when he saw Twilight sitting there. Shadow hoped the man knew about this when he chose his name.

Next was Wild. The boy didn't seem to have much magic of his own but he carried things that were. His odd sheet of metal there was blazing with it and it was one of the few that Shadow had no name to. He wasn't even sure if he had a good thing to compare it to. Shadow paused then focused a little harder on Wild, maybe he had a power that his ingot was blocking? And… after some prodding he could say that Wild did have magic. Shadow couldn't pinpoint it but it was definitely an ability used in battle, maybe related to time? It was hard to tell without seeing it being used.

Warriors surprised him. Shadow wasn't really expecting him to have much magic either but he had plenty of fighting related power. He was strong and had a great fighting spirit. It was similar to Link's father, who could rally together his troops with striking ease. Shadow is still convinced that he was using a basic form of magic for it but Link always laughed him off. Shadow really wanted to see those abilities in battle, it has to be the same.

Shadow slinked his soul across the fire. Hyrule's fae magic ran deep into his soul. Shadow's skin pricked at the memory of that damned fairy burning him. He doesn't care how many times he's spoken with great fairies and other fae, he still hates the light that spews from those horrible little things. At least Hyrule didn't seem like the kind of person to get attached to someone like Shadow and pester him all the time.

Shadow didn't even have to look to see exactly where Legend was. The man was sitting beside Sky and was almost completely masking the other hero. Shadow couldn't even pinpoint a foundation of Legends magic since it was so covered in spells and enchantments even a few curses that were getting drowned in that mess.

Sky stood to give his bowl to Wild. Without Legend's mess distracting him, Shadow could pinpoint.. a lot.. about Sky. He felt exactly like Link and Zelda. It just made Shadow start to feel home sick. He hadn't been gone for a whole day yet and he already misses them.

Sky didn't have Hylia's blessing, not like Zelda does but Shadow can feel traces of it. It clung to his being like perfume. Sky must be close to the royal family as well. The man's light magic still rang off alarm bells in Shadow's head but the more he investigated the more it just felt like a purer version of Link's magic. Were they related somehow?

“Link!” Wind shook Shadow's shoulder, jolting him out of his thoughts. “Didn't you hear me? Been trying to talk to ya but you're actin’ like you don't hear me.”

Cause I wasn't listening to you, is that shadow wants to reply with but instead he acts polite, like Link. “Oh, I wasn't paying attention, mind repeating it?”

Wind huffed then straightened his back a little more. “I was asking if you knew of any heroes? Most of us heard of Time-”

“The hero of Time.” someone added

“-yeah.” Wind continued. “but Sky hasn't heard of him.”

Warriors explained just a little more. “We are trying to understand which of us are…” He took a moment to think.

“Older?” Wind suggested with a little smirk.

Warriors gave the kid a quick glare then restarted. “We're trying to put together a historia of sorts. Sky has not heard of any of us so we assume he's the earliest in this ‘timeline’ then Wild is the opposite, he's heard of almost everyone from stories or such.”

Shadow nodded along like he cared. This was not his strong suit but he's heard Link yap about his childhood hero far too much to not know about him now. “There's only one hero I know of and it's the hero of men. Judging that none of you are named men then I doubt that I can match into your little story here.”

Sky tilted his head curiously. “What are the stories about him like? Maybe we can figure it out.”

Shadow had to think for a second. Link told him so much about that guy that Shadow wasn't even sure if it was all real or a foolish little fanfiction he made up. “Well uh, I think he was given a sword from the sky when the kingdom was under attack. But Li-” Shadow almost bit his tongue off as he corrected himself. “Violet- and Zelda said that he may have come from the heavens instead of the sword. Honestly, I wasn't paying too much attention to them.” He hated to admit it but he honestly hadn't cared about Link's obsession, he just liked to hear him and Zelda talk to him. They always seemed so happy to share it too.

Shadow quietly promises to those two that he will actually listen to them next time they talk about the hero.

Sky perked up happily. “Wait, that actually sounds like me! Me and my sword are from the sky island. I forged Fi myself!”

It was Shadow's turn to perk up. It was another thing that Shadow didn't personally know but Link was heavily interested in. “I forged my sword too. Well-” He looked at the blade sitting by the borrowed bedroll. “All my swords, but I forged the Four Sword myself. Well, it used to be called by a different name but now it's the Four Sword.”

Sky looked utterly delighted. The man was smiling so brightly that Shadow could almost feel himself burning from it. “Really? Did the goddess Hylia help you make it too?”

Shadow had to shake his head at that. He doesn't remember four ever mentioning Hylia before, especially not in helping his blade. She wasn't Four's goddess. “No, the Minish helped me with it.”

Everyone glanced at each other for a moment as if they didn't understand what Shadow was referring to. Warrior hummed questioningly then asked. “What are the Minish?”

Okay. These people had to be very very uneducated or something real bad happens to the minish in the future… and past? Why doesn't Sky seem to know about them either? “They're forest spirits and light spirits too I guess. They exist in another world from us but every one hundred years or so they will open a portal to our world and give us gifts. They're the reason you can always find a rupee when you need it or why you find something in an obvious place after you lost it. “

The others seemed to listen to him. These people would love to hear link talk. Time stood up. Shadow looked up at the very tall man. “We should start moving. It will be midday before we realize it.” Shadow dreaded that. His cloak was the only thing on his body that wasn't an illusion and it was not going to be enough to stop him from getting scorched by the sun. Shadow pulled a face just imagining the burn he was going to have from just sitting out here that's not even thinking about how bad it's going to be after being in the sun all day. Uh no…

The group was fast at getting ready. All Shadow had to do was put his sword on his back and grab his empty pack but the others had much more, swords, armor, packs and bedrolls and yet they were done with nearly as much efficiency as Shadow. Only a few minutes passed before the whole of the group was ready to go. Shadow fell into line with Wind (against his own will, the kid was giving him puppy eyes).

Shadow gave one more good look around before they properly left camp. Now he understands the horrible heat and probably the source of that terrible magic smell. They were beside death mountain (heat) and most of the plants in this area looked dead. Shadow knew vaguely about poison that death mountain leaks (thanks Vio) but even this looked and felt much more like magic killed this area.

Not his world, not his problem. Shadow followed the others. And he still had that damned bowl of porridge. Maybe he should eat it, or at least try.

Chapter Text

Shadow hated eating that bowl of slop almost as much as he hated the sun above him. He would never understand why Hylians thought the daytime was better to be out in rather than the night. At least at night you don't have to risk being burned.

Shadow had long given up on eating and returned the bowl to Wild. He was feeling ill from the light even after the group had moved into an actual forest with trees that had leaves on them. The shade was better here then when they were at death mountain but it wasn't dark enough for shadows liking.

Even this far away from the volcano, Shadow's mouth was still caked in that foul, bitter taste. Shadow took a deep breath, trying to get his senses to focus on anything other than the stink of this era's death mountain. It didn't help.

Shadow pulled his cloak up to his nose, inhaling the more familiar scent of his home that lingered on it. It helped enough that he could focus on something that wasn't the smell but now he realized just how bad he was burning. Where his cloak rubbed against his hands and face had started to feel sensitive. He hesitantly tapped his thigh, the skin there was feeling just as tender. Shadow curses himself for being so lazy, he always just used clothing he could summon magically like his blade, it acts the same and doesn't waste any magic to keep on but it didn't protect his skin from light. He was not excited to have his body be as red as the square on his tunic by the end of the day. May whoever decided that the sun was a good idea have forever rot in their grave.

Wind tapped on Shadow's arm to get his attention again. “So, what do those Minish look like? Do they look like koroks or dekus?”

Shadow shook his head. “I don't know what a korok is, but they're definitely not like the deku scrubs.” Shadow reached up to touch his earring. “This is a Minish's tail feather. They look like mice, about the size of your thumb that walk around on two legs like Hylians. If I ever see one, I'll show you.”

Wind stuck out his thumb and looked at it. “Wow, and you said they can carry around rupees?”

Shadow smiled. “I don't really know how they do it, but I think it's more like they summon rupees rather than carrying them. Especially with how many are under rocks that Hylians can't even lift.”

Wind looked up and towards the front of the group when Scarfy grabbed their attention. Hyrule was leading the group towards a town but decided to stop before they got too close. The group came together around Hyrule and Warriors. Hyrule looked apologetic as Warriors began. “I am going to go over this again because I know we need it. We are visitors. This isn't your Hyrule. Be as polite as possible.” There was a collective look towards legend that Shadow hadn't expected but could understand in hindsight.

Warriors began to count on his fingers like he was remembering previous atrocities. “Absolutely no stealing even if you don't get caught, don't break any pottery we have enough rupees. This town is weary of strangers, so no magic, no sword fighting, no fighting without swords, no using swords to open doors for old ladies-” that look was pointed at Wild this time. Shadow had to pause because, what? How did that even work?

“Don't climb onto roofs, no scaring children even if they deserve it, don't bring your wolf into town, don't show off your valuables to anyone cause they will take it when we are trying to sleep, please do not fight the knights, don't bathe in random rivers Wild, please.” Warriors ran out of fingers a while ago. “Just for the love of everything, keep your hands to yourselves so we can show our faces in town next time we need a place to stay.”

Shadow couldn't help but feel better about himself after hearing that speech. These heroes were utterly insane and Shadow is going to fit right at home with them. The other Links gave agreeing nods or murmured about being unable to commit whatever crime of their choosing that Scarfy had named.

The group filtered into the town and split into different parties. Legend and Hyrule went off to find an inn as the remaining links split into two to gather supplies. Shadow was stuck with Wind and Warriors and the other four went for the other half of their supply list. Warriors and Wind were insisting that Shadow buy a pack, a bedroll and other supplies but the only thing he heard was that he was going to have more shit to lug around.

They dragged him to one shop, a general store by the looks of it. Shadow had to bite his tongue more than he would like to admit. They continually asked his opinions on things that did not matter. No, he does not care about the softness of his bedroll, he could sleep straight on the ground for all he cared. No he did not need a flask. No he didn't have a flask but that shouldn't affect whether or not he needed one.

Once they got everything that Wind and Warriors decided that he needed, the three went to another shop, an apothecary. Shadow stepped inside, barely, there were wards and incense that immediately smacked into him. He huffed at the weak spell. He blew a tuft of magic towards the incense, putting it out. He followed behind Warriors as the man walked up to the counter. Shadow sniffed quietly, this place smelled of herbs and potions mixed with campfire smoke.

As Warriors and the shopkeep spoke, Shadow wandered off just a bit. He spotted a few red potions. He plucked one off the shelf and popped off the cork. He sniffed it as well, it was more tolerable than most red potions, it was watered down. Scarfy was just going to waste his money here. He placed the potion back as if he had never touched it and kept his mouth shut. If that guy didn't know the difference between a good and bad potion, then he shouldn't be buying them for the group.

Shadow stopped to eye a mana potion on a shelf. He could buy it. Could probably even convince the captain to buy it but he would rather suffer with the sunburn if it meant not talking to someone right now.

The shopping trip dragged on for longer than he would like, by now, Shadow's skin had started to sting at even the slightest touch of his cloak. Someone help him.

They were reaching their last stop, finally. Shadow had opted to stop talking altogether but at this point it was mostly Warriors talking to himself or shopkeeps as Wind runs around touching everything he can while the captain isn't looking. Wind had begged and begged for warriors to bring them to a small bakery just beside the inn before they met up with the rest of the group and somehow the man agreed that Wind had been good enough to get something.

Shadow stepped out of the building they were in without any hesitancy, he was already so burned, there's no way it can get worse. “Four!”

Wind started, his cheerful tone just about made Shadow deck him but he strained a smile that was tired and didn't reach his eyes. “Yeah?”

Wind paused then squinted at Shadow's face. “Oh shit-”

Warriors spoke, without even looking their way. “Watch your language, Sailor.”

Wind lifted a hand to Shadow's face. He slapped it out of the way before Wind could touch him. “Dude, you're burnt! Like, really bad. You're red.”

Warriors looked their way then grimaced. Shadow deadpanned. “Oh I would have never noticed.. thanks for telling me..”

Warriors took a step closer, about to put a hand on his shoulder. Shadow shifted just enough to make a point that the captain shouldn't even try that. “Let's get inside, I think Wild has something for that.”

Wind whined. “Can't we stop at the bakery?”

Warriors sighed. “We will once we get Four fixed up, I promise, Tuney.” Shadow paid no mind to the odd nickname. He was too busy wallowing in his own pity to even care.

The inn was small but felt cozy at least. Only Legend and Hyrule were there, waiting in the lobby for the other Links. Hyrule smiled at the three. “We got the rooms, there's not enough for everyone so we're going to have to share beds.”

Legends face scrunched up. “Did you get caught in a fireplace?”

Shadow gave legend the best glare he could muster. “Don't start.”

Warriors laughed. Shadow silently sentenced the man to a future prank, maybe that pretty scarf of his was going to turn bright pink. “It's a sun burn.” Warriors clarified. Shadow blinked very slowly, shit, that was starting to sting too…

Hyrule came closer to Shadow. He turned away, trying to not so subtly step away from the fae. “Here, I can help you.” He reached out a hand. The hairs on the back of Shadow's neck stood on end, he nearly ran over Wind as he tried to get away from the healing spell on the tips of Hyrule's fingers.

Wind caught Shadow before he actually fell. “Woah! Hey, it's alright, he's just trying to heal ya.”

Shadow panicked, not solely because of the fairy in Hylian skin (even if he was a big part in it) but rather that he now had to come up with an excuse because everyone was looking at him like he was crazy. “I know, it's just-” Oh great spirits, what does he say that makes sense here? “I'm allergic to fairies.” Shadow cringed. Literally nothing that wasn't a dark world creation was harmed by a fairies magic it was such a give away.

Hyrule frowned and took a step back, the spell leaving his hand. “Oh- I didn't know that was possible. I'm so sorry.” Shadow almost laughed at how doleful the poor kid looked. It was such a surprise but at least that gets him out of this situation and he doesn't have to make an excuse later for when Hyrule might try to pull that trick on him again. He just has to ignore that look that Legend gave him (what's the chances he knows dark beings enough to know that fairy magic hurts them?)

Warriors sighed. “Well, let's get you into bed then, I'll go looking for Wild. We will be right back.” Shadow nodded.

Hyrule straightened back up. “I can show you the rooms, you can get first pick.” Warriors smiled at Hyrule for helping, then left with Wind to find the others.

Shadow followed Hyrule to the rooms. The first he was shown was small with only one full sized bed. He hopes whoever sleeps with him doesn't snore because Shadow will kick them straight off the side of the mattress. He walked right in and laid down on the bed, he really didn't want to tour the other rooms.

He felt tears pricked at the edge of his eyes because holy hell, he did not expect this burn to be this horrible but he was already laying down, there was no way to move without making it hurt worse.

Hyrule sat down besides Shadow. “Can you use red potions? Those don't hurt you, right?”

Shadow nodded very slightly. He could drink one without repercussions but it wouldn't help. He and Link already figured out that red potions don't work on him the same way they do for Hylians. “Actually,” he mumbled, “a mana potion would be better.. I can heal myself too, like your fairy power. It's more effective than a red potion.”

Hyrule made a noise, an interested hum. “Really? Can you heal others?”

Shadow thinks he could but only other dark beings, he wonders briefly if it would have the same effect on a Hylian as fae magic does for him… that's a thing for Vio to answer, not this kid. “No, just me. Red potions don't really have an effect on me either… that's why I learned that spell really."

Hyrule was quiet for a bit. Probably thinking of something. “That's great. I'm normally pretty against sharing things about people but the others need to know about that.” He paused then cleared his throat. “What if you ever need a fairy. Like could we use it as a last resort?” He emphasized the last part just to make sure Shadow got the idea

Shadow shook his head. “The fairy won't do me any good at all. Mana potion or nothing, even if my head isn't on right.” Hyrule made a sad noise. Was that kid actually worried about him? These people just kept surprising him

There was a knock on the door, Hyrule called the person in. Wild smiled at the two. “I heard you got a bad sunburn?” His voice gave away his smile.

Shadow rolled his eyes even if the other two couldn't see it. “Yes.” He couldn't even make himself be grouchy, he was just dead tired.

Wild must have been sympathetic too as he stopped with the cheerfulness. “Where did you get burned? I can help you put the cream on, really.”

Shadow didn't know how to say everything was scorched without just saying it outright. “Everywhere..” he mumbled. “Literally everywhere."

Wild laughed lightly. “Then where do we start?” Shadow slowly rolled over then even slower sat up.

Wild smiled and leaned down to be even with Shadow's face as he started to dab the cream onto his red skin. “I didn't know anyone could burn that much, even your eyes are red.” Wild laughed at Shadows' expense. “I have a few things to help block the sun. I'll leave them with you since you need it much more than I do it seems.”

Hyrule shifted down to the foot of the bed to give them more room. “So, if we gave you a mana potion, do you think you would be able to heal yourself? It would save Wild on his aloe.”

Shadow blinked slowly. The coolness of the aloe was amazing right now even as Wild pressed down on his face to apply it. “Yeah, actually. I haven't had a lot of magic on me since the portal.” He yawned and stretched some before returning to be just as still as he could be for Wild.

Wild finished getting the aloe on his face as Hyrule began to rummage through his own pack for a potion. Wild glanced at Shadow, trying to look for any other exposed skin. “Do you still want some aloe?” Shadow nodded and stuck his hands out, both had some red spots from where he was not holding the cloak together the best. Wild rubbed aloe on his hands.

Beside them, Hyrule pulled a potion from his pack with a “Aha!” Shadow felt his heart lurch, everything reminded him of his own hero. He could just about see Link smiling and holding up a kinstone or force gem. He blinked and the illusion faded, Hyrule was offering him the potion. He didn't waste a moment before swirling the potion and downing it like a shot.

Wild snickered at the practiced ease Shadow had with the potion. “Do you drink a lot, Four? I swear I saw Warriors pull that same move at a bar.”

Spirits, they had even been to a bar together? Shadow was later to this journey then he thought if this group had already been drinking together. At least when he was becoming closer to Link and Zelda, he at least had memories from before he was a living person, here he had stumbled upon an already well organized team and sat himself right in the center as if that would help him make friends at all. “Yeah. Uh, I go out a lot with my friends. Drinking” He paused, cringing a bit at himself again. How did he even make himself sound like a friendless loser even now?

Wild stood and closed the jar of aloe, Shadow wasn't going to tell the man about his burnt legs, he would rather let them hurt instead of trying to make Wild put aloe on his calves. “I think you and the others would make a day out of it.” Wild encouraged like he heard Shadow's internal monologue. “Since I'm up here, I'll grab a room before the others do, I just hope i don't get a room next to Wind, the Sailor snores like a hinox.” Wild and Hyrule chuckled over that as Wild placed the aloe, another cream and some items on the end table. “I'll see you two in a bit.” He smiled before leaving him and Hryule alone.

Hyrule sighed as he stood. “I'll leave you alone, unless you need anything else?” He looked back at Shadow.

Shadow shrugged. “I don’t need anything.” He took a deep breath before remembering something he was curious about. He leaned forwards slightly, putting his elbows on his knees before remembering the sunburn there. “This is your time, right?” Hyrule nodded, a smile on his face. “What is causing that magic in the air?” He watched the smile fall but continued. “I thought it was death mountain at first but it doesn't reek like that in my era, I would know. And no matter where we are, it's still clogging up my throat.”

Hyrule shifted on his feet for a moment, Shadow wasn't able to tell if he was nervous or trying to find a way out of telling Shadow about its cause. Until he answered. “Well, I've been noticing that too. I mean, I never did before now but when we came back I felt it too. I guess it has something to do with Ganon. I don't know what it is…”

Shadow tilted his head slightly. “I think it's malice, there's no cleansing it fully. You'll just have to let it fade.” He hoped he was right. Hyrule looked distressed by it. “If you really wanted to cleanse just an area, you'll need someone with light magic, not like you but someone or something that can concentrate it.”

Hyrule perked up. “Zelda can do that!” He smiled.

“Zelda? Wait, you know Zelda too, who also has light magic?”

Hyrule nodded happily. “I do! Actually, I think most of us know a Zelda , which is funny considering that we're all named Link!”

Shadow gave the kid a look, genuinely how has he not put two and two together. “Sounds like we share more than a name then or the same general looks, or the hero title, and a friend named Zelda. Like, I'm being serious, what's the chances of there being some serious implications here that I cannot make myself care about at the moment.”

Hyrule's face fell into confusion. “How-” Hyrule was cut off by a sharp knock at the door. The fae looked at Shadow who gave an uncaring wave of his hand. “Come in!”

Warriors peeked around the door. “Hi Hyrule, Four. So Time found out there's been travelers going missing just a few miles from here. A caravan is leaving soon, says they're going to go straight through the area and that they would lend us a ride if we guarded them.” Hyrule nodded along. “We don't feel right leaving without you two but..” he took a moment like he was thinking over his words.

Shadow glared. “You can say that me being cooked like a cucco in an oven is the issue.”

Warriors snorted, then covered his face like that would save him any dignity. “I was going to say that we already bought the rooms but that works too.”

Shadow laid back down onto the bed with a humph. “I'm fine staying here, trust me.”

Hyrule glanced back at Shadow before looking at Warriors. “You need me to go too? I know Four doesn't need any company but I don't think splitting the group is a good idea.”

Warriors nodded. “I don't think so either, but if Four wants to stay and we want to make sure our rooms don't get taken, then it may be best to leave a few of us behind.”

Hyrule nodded in agreement then started for the door. “Let's figure out who will stay.” Hyrule and Warriors left the room, Shadow didn't pay any mind to them as they left. He remained on the bed, limbs spread out on the barely soft mattress (really, what was in this thing, straw?).

The quiet was welcome. Shadow had shut his eyes and he already felt what remained of his headache and soreness start to melt off of him. It was actually delightful. No kid in his ears, no arguing from the other Links, just peace, he could even feel his magic returning and skin starting to heal. He let himself breathe. A mouse scurried through the wall and he was home. The minish ran about at all hours of the day and always tried to help when Link cooked. Shadow could see his eyes, Blue, the way he always came out more in Link when cooking. Ever since the hero found out he had yet another talent, this time in cooking, he had become so protective of his little hobby. Link's arrogance was always prominent, even if he learned to work with others, he couldn't help that he just was like that. It was a good talent to be arrogant about too, shadow reasoned, Four was almost as good as the castle chefs, even if Shadow always said that Link was better when asked.

But Shadow wasn't home… and neither was Link. He needed to stop letting the hero get to him. He was in no position to get upset. There was nothing more he could do to help. He… he really hoped that Zelda hadn't thought he abandoned them. He wouldn't leave them like that if he could ever help it. He was so worried about them.

He breathed in as deeply as he could go then breathed out. His throat warbled. He couldn't cry, Link was okay. It was the bastard's fault for getting himself hurt. He would be fine, like always… even if the potions didn't help, even if-

Shadow slammed his hands down on the bed then got up. He couldn't mope about this. He wiped tears from his eyes before they fell, forgetting and not caring about the sunburn he got. If the others hadn't left yet, he will have to join them.