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Leo leans against the edge of the ship as Hyrule comes into view; the last place he wants to be. Not after everything that they had heard overseas about the Calamity. April said that it should be safe now, though that was before they discovered Baxter Stockman had set up shop somewhere in Hyrule. They’re not sure what he’s planning but it can’t be anything good.
“We should be docking soon,” Donnie said; coming to stand next to him, though more focus on his slate. It’s old technology from a bygone era, back when the world was one and things were still tense. Leo only knows snippets from what Donnie and Metalhead (who is made up by that same technology) along with what Donnie had learned from the Sheikah of the Hamato Clan. “Though, I’m not sure what we’ll find there. It has been a hundred years since anyone from the outside have been able to visit.”
The only news came from the Ocean Zoras when they had sent their Princess as the first ambassador of the outside world. Other countries have been chomping at the chance of setting foot into Hyrule. Even their own country – Old Hyrule, not to be mistaken for New Hyrule or Hyrule – have been sending word almost every other day. Only recently did ambassador ships were sent out. However, they couldn’t wait for a proper invite to dock, they need to find out what Stockman is up to before anything bad could happen.
“And where are we docking, Donnie?” Leo asks; pulling away from the slowly growing landmass to his brother.
Donnie pulls up a map on his slate – pointing to a small town at the outskirts of Hyrule. “Lurelin Village have been accepting ships from a few places which means we can sneak in without a problem, specially if we dock a bit further away.” He points to a different spot on the other side of the town that should give them cover. Their boat isn’t very big but it’s still noticeable if caught. “However, I’m not sure how we’ll even start looking for Stockman, he could be anywhere by now.”
“Well, we’ll start with the old fashion way first.” Leo squeeze Donnie’s shoulder; getting an unsure look in return. “Mikey and I will head into town while you and the others get a camp set up.” It’s the best plan they can come up at the moment until they can get more information, and Mikey tends to be the best at getting information.
“Just be careful,” Donnie said; forcing himself to go back to his slate.
…
Lurelin Village is far busier than Leo thought it was going to be, though that was to be expected from the ambassador ships. Most of them were sent to this village due to the easy access to the country, which gives them the best cover to move around and get any information. Impaz have been nice enough to give them each Sheikah outfits that allows them to blend in, though it won’t hide them if someone looks a bit to hard.
“Anything?” Leo asks; offering a fish skewer that he got from the local restaurant.
“Only the usual.” Mikey takes a bite out of the skewer, humming happily at the taste. Probably already trying to figure out how it was made and how he could recreate it later. “But they have been talking about pirates near Eventide Island but nothing about Stockman.”
Leo absentmindedly takes a bite of his own skewer; trying to figure out where to go from here. There is Kakariko Village – home of Hyrule’s Sheikah – that they could visit for help. They can’t dock the boat at Hateno Village without issues which means traveling in land. They could walk there or figure themselves out some horses – which Raph nor Mikey would have an issue with. However, Leo isn’t sure if the Shakiah here would help them or not.
“Maybe, he’s not even here?” Mikey suggests, none seriously.
“I wish that was true, Mikey.” However, Leatherhead wouldn’t have warned them about Stockman being here if it wasn’t true. “Let’s get to the others and figure out our next move.” Leo knock shoulders with his brother before taking the lead back towards their ship.
…
Leo takes a seat at the unlit firepit while keeping an eye on his brothers – Casey and April had remained in Lurelin Village just in case anything happens. Most of the ambassadors have yet to leave for the gathering happening at Lookout Landing (a newly built settlement close to what remains of Hyrule Castle). Which gives them an opening to get some horses; Raph had taken up the task, since he knows horses better than any of them.
“We got three horses,” Raph said. “The owner says we can get a fourth but he has to ask someone first.”
“And who is that someone?”
“Some guy called the Hero of Hyrule.” Raph takes a seat across from him. “But when I asked who that was, no one can give me a straight answer. None of them could even answer what the guy looks like, complete mystery.” He takes a canteen of water that Donnie had brought out of the Slate after him and Mikey joins them. “Not even sure if the guy exists, you know.”
“But if we are borrowing his horse then doesn't that mean he does exist,” Mikey said; beyond confuse.
No one could even answer, not that they have the chance to since Raph have to go back to the counter. Two stable hands brought out four horses but the pure white one got Mikey jumping to his feet and going straight over. Donnie frowns at the sight of it before typing something into his slate.
“Strange.” Donnie holds out the slate for Leo but he couldn’t read any of it before his brother already pulling it away. “It says that the Royal White Horses are a rare breed that once belonged to the Royal Family before the calamity.” He looks in the direction of the horse. “Which mean this Hero of Hyrule must have been close to the family if he has one of their horses.”
“We should get going,” Leo said; changing the topic. He gently pulling Donnie to his feet since his brother has gone into research mode. “I want to get to Kakariko before the sun set, or close to it.”
Mikey already calls dibs on the Royal White, causing Raph to grumble about it, while the others taken up one of the other horses. Leo gives thanks to the owner – and asked if he can send the same regards to this mysterious hero – before taking the lead.
…
“Grandmother, you have a visitor.”
Paya moves out of Leo’s way to stand by the door while he comes to kneel before Impa, the elder of Hyrule’s Sheikhas. She only left after Impa have asks her to leave the house; Leo doesn’t fault Paya for not wanting to leave her grandmother alone with a stranger – he wouldn’t want to leave his father or any of his brothers with someone unknown to him.
“Hamato Yoshi’s eldest son, Hamato Leonardo.” She laughs lightly at the sudden confusion. “During my younger years, I have met with Old Hyrule and her Sheikah, though briefly. Yoshi was among them.” Impa have grabbed a scroll next to her that she hands to Leo, who carefully opens it to see a drawing of a more human version of his father and a younger Impa. “I always believed that any of the Hyrules would need help that we would turn to one another…but as you can see that didn’t happen.”
Leo rolls the scroll back up; “I’m here because of–”
“Baxter Stockman,” Impa states. “Yes, I have gotten a letter much the same as the rest of the leaders of Hyrule. Stockman wishes to show us something at Lookout Landing in the coming days.”
“If you allow it, my brothers and I wish to company you.” Leo wants to give more but figures that this should be enough. “To stop Stockman before he hurts anyone.”
“Only if you remove your mask, little one.”
Leo hesitant; clinging to the scroll like that could help him.
The reactions to his brothers and him have very; nothing like the Ritos, Gerudo, Gorons, Zoras, Dekus, Shekiah, or Hylians. Much like the other outcasted Mutants of Old Hyrule. Creatures created by unknown means for an unknown purpose. Donnie have done much research, specially when they have met their father’s clan, but nothing comes from it. They aren’t even sure on who even created the ooze in the first place…so they can’t even ask them.
Leo carefully removes his mask and slowly lifts his head until he meets Impa’s eyes.
“I heard about the new creatures of Old Hyrule.” Impa smile softly down at him. “I never thought I would have the chance to meet one of them.” She grabs a book that she hands to him; Leo makes sure that their hands don’t touch while taking it. “Return this to your father, it’s my thanks for his help many years ago.”
Leo stands and bow; “thank you, Elder Impa.”
“We’ll leave tomorrow morning; your brothers must be ready by than.”
…
They were offered a room at the Shuteye Inn but Leo much rather have them sleep outside the village. Camping isn’t anything new and none of his brothers complained, even though Leo ignores the questioning look that Raph keeps giving him. Mikey have started on a vegetable soup while Donnie has buried himself in some books he gotten at the shop, apparently giving insight into the technology around Hyrule.
Raph have been feeding the horses while Leo have been setting up their sleeping area.
“Anything interesting happened with the Elder?” Raph asks; standing with his arms cross and watching Leo’s every move.
“Other than the book, no nothing of note.” Leo doesn’t want the others to know that Impa knows what they are; it’s hard enough with Casey and April. “I suggest we eat and then go to bed; we have to leave early.”
Raph doesn’t look convinced but drops it for now when Mikey calls them over for dinner. They are still wearing the Sheikah uniform, save for the mask which they can easily put back on if anyone comes this way. Their normal masks are safety tuck away within Donnie’s slate, along with their weaponries which Raph hates but has to go along with it. For the most part, they haven’t run into any monsters that are normally common outside the city. But there’s nothing like New Clock City around here which is not surprising due to the 100-year-old Calamity. Something to worry about tomorrow.
…
Lookout Landing isn’t as busy as Leo thought it was going to be, but Impa did tell them that most of the leaders have yet to confirm if they are coming or not.
“Whoa, you can see Death Mountain from here!” Mikey grabs Leo by the arm while pointing out the mountain in question. “And that must be the old Hyrule Castle.” He points towards where a destroyed castle sits before them, though there’s no doubt that has to be the old castle. “I wonder if there’s anything left inside?”
“Doubt it,” Raph said; cross his arms. “Not after a hundred years at least.”
“Zelda, I would like you to meet the Hamatos.” Impa gestures towards them – causing each of them to stand a bit straighter. “They have come here due to Stockman’s proposal later.” She than motions to the person standing next to her. “This is Princess Zelda of Hyrule, distant relation to your Queen Zelda of Old Hyrule.”
“Oh, you’re from Old Hyrule?” Zelda looks startle for some reason. “I have gotten word about an ambassador ship coming from there but none were meant to leave the shore after docking.”
“That’s because we aren’t apart of the ambassador ship, your highness.” Leo steps forward; sending a look towards Raph when his brother became close to saying something. They have rough dealings with the Queen of Old Hyrule in the past but that doesn’t mean they need to make an enemy out of the Princess of Hyrule. “We came here because Stockman is a dangerous man, we have fought him plenty of times before and all he wants is money and power. We’re just trying to stop him before anyone else gets hurt.”
“I see…” Zelda trails off before suddenly snapping her fingers. “Then, maybe you and your brothers can gather up the leaders of Hyrule then to warn them about Stockman before his proposal. I would ask Link to do it but he’s been busy lately.”
“And where can we find these leaders?”
Zelda grabs her own slate and brings up a map of Hyrule where she highlights four different areas. Rito Village in Tabantha Frontier (which Mikey agrees to go to), Gerudo Town in the Gerudo Desert (Raph claims it, though refuse to say why), Zora’s Domain in Lanayru (Donnie always wanted to meet Hyrule’s Zoras), and Goron City in Death Mountain (which is the only location left to pick from). Zelda gives them some advice about each location – mostly what they should bring with them before having to leave due to be called away.
…
Leo double check Mikey’s saddlebag when said brother comes leaning against him with a pout.
“You know I could have done that; I’m not an idiot you know?”
“Just leave Mama Leo alone, Mike, or else he’ll never let us leave,” Raph said from where he has been resorting his own bag after Leo already gone through it. There’s far too much stuff missing for someone taking a trip into the desert, specially since Raph have to leave his horse at the Gerudo Canyon Stable and walk through said desert.
“Listen, you may be an idiot, but you’re our idiot.” Leo slings an arm around his brother; earning an eye roll but Mikey didn’t pull away. “And I just want us all to be safe. Just because the Calamity have been dealt with, doesn’t mean that there isn’t some kind of threat still out there.” Something keeps telling him to not allow his brothers to separate from him but what choice do they have? “Then we can have pizza once we’re done.”
“Do they even have pizza here?” Donnie questions.
“If not, I can probably whip something together!” Mikey happily says while pulling away from Leo and taking the reins of the Royal White. “I just need to know what I’m missing. I’ll send a list once I figure it out.”
Leo grabs his own horse – double checking the saddle bag – before following his brothers out of the Landing and across the bridge. None of them separate right away, not until Donnie gently grabs Leo’s rein long enough to get his horse to follow while Raph and Mikey went in the other direction from them.
“We’ll be fine and back together soon enough.” Donnie doesn’t look super convince either. “Just don’t worry yourself sick again, Leo.”
“I’ll try not to.”