Summary: He was everything. He was determined to HAVE everything. And then it all started when that freakin' king of Hyrule just had to go and -!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda. If I tried to claim ownership of Vaati, someone would surely attack me.
"V is for Vaati"
Chapter 1: V is for Vaati
Vaati could feel their eyes on him as he strode across the petal strewn paths of Hyrule Town.
As victor of the annual Picori Festival's sword tournament, he had gained instant fame among the town citizens. Hylian males thought of his ruthless skill with a blade and gazed at him in awe. Although they did think his poofy red pants and crimson eyes were a bit odd. And cloaks were too warm for the spring weather.
Hylian females saw that he was a foreigner and became instantly attracted to him. They loved the handsomeness of his face and his confident, gliding walk.
They glowered at his hair. The females observed his long, lustrous lavender locks and wondered why such pretty hair was on his head instead of theirs.
So the men of Hyrule Town noticed the women gazing at the successful stranger, and they puffed themselves up and gave Vaati mixed looks of respect and jealousy. And the women of Hyrule Town saw the men staring at the purple-haired foreigner, so they touched their own locks under the sun and tilted their heads coyly, secretly hoping to catch the eye of the victor called Vaati.
Vaati loved it. He reveled in it, wondering if their fear would taste even sweeter.
Back when Vaati had been a tiny Minish, living within the Minish Village in the heart of the Minish Woods, he had tired of all things Minish and rebelled. His Master Ezlo, a sage craftsman, had created a magical cap that granted its wearer any wish. Vaati stole it. He wished to become a powerful sorcerer, and with new magic coursing through him, he had turned Master Ezlo into a living cap. Vaati also transformed himself into a "My goodness, what a good-looking -!" human, as he later came to hear himself described.
Then his crimson eyes had turned towards Hyrule Town.
It took Vaati two days to escape the woods. Though he would never admit it, he had gotten lost; being human put the world in a different perspective. Happening upon South Hyrule Field, he had quickly hid behind a tree when a hammer-wielding old man and a boy wandered past.
Vaati had considered transforming them into something. 'Not a cap. Maybe a pair of sandals,' he thought, imagining their cries as he stomped around in them. Suddenly, the old man had hammered the ground right next to Vaati's tree, startling him.
"And BAM!" the geezer exclaimed, laughing as he stroked his beard. "And that's how I finished off my second to last opponent fifty years ago! My next fight was with the king!" He ruffled the boy's blonde hair.
As if his hair wasn't bad enough already, Vaati thought, eyeballing the kid's cowlick with distaste.
"But I already told you about that battle," the old man had continued. "You'll get to see the sword tournament yourself next week at the annual Picori Festival! It might not be as good as it was in the old days, but it's exciting to watch."
"Ah, the Picori Festival's Sword-Tournament," Vaati had said when the old man and the boy left. The victor of the tournament won a new blade as well as the honor of touching the ancient Picori Blade in the Bound Chest.
Vaati didn't want the new sword. He wanted what he thought was inside that Bound Chest: the Light Force.
Vaati passed under an archway decorated with twirling stars and winked at a young woman. He smirked as she swooned into her friend's arms.
The Light Force... he thought. Unlimited power! he thought. Vaati's eyes dilated as an evil laugh threatened to escape. He subtly quickened his pace.
As soon as he was past the walls of Hyrule Town leading into North Hyrule Field, he went behind a hedge and teleported. No point in walking the whole way. He appeared behind a large bush in front of Hyrule Castle's drawbridge.
The two soldiers standing guard brought their spears up when Vaati stepped out in the open.
"Oh! It's the magnificent Vaati, winner of the tournament! We're saved!" one of the guards cried. They relaxed considerably in relief.
Vaati arched a brow as one guard ran to announce him, and the other nervously gestured for him to hurry inside.
"You're in danger here, sir," the soldier explained. "There's been an accident!"
When Vaati entered the Castle Garden, a not-so-ceremonious sight met his eyes. Soldiers were everywhere, poking their weapons into hedges and flower beds. A unit jogged past him with barely a glance.
Vaati seethed. Was this how they treated a champion? He crossed his arms and glared. Up ahead, there was a stalwart figure with red robes, a high white collar, and a gold crown.
So that's the king, he mused. The King of Hyrule did not look particularly impressive. His face was sheepish as he conversed with an old man who wore huge glasses. One of the guards from the gate ran up to the king and bowed respectfully, relaying the message of Vaati's arrival.
"Finally," Vaati growled as the king looked his way. The king quickly called his men to attention and the courtyard stilled.
The King of Hyrule cleared his throat.
"Vaati," he boomed, "champion of the competition, you may, er, approach!"
Vaati across the courtyard, his violet cape swishing behind him.
That's more like it. He smirked, seeing the awed expressions of his onlookers. Four soldiers marched out of the castle bearing an object on their shoulders. Was that the Bound Chest? It looked more like a padded box.
Vaati decided this a good time to launch into his prepared speech.
"Heh heh heh..." he chuckled nastily. "To think things would go this well!"
Nearby, a young soldier looked to his captain.
"Sir, the champion is talking to himself!" he whispered. "Should we poke him with sharp objects?"
"Of course not, soldier," the captain said smartly back. "We only do that if he adds something like, 'This chest must hold that which I seek! I'll relieve you of its contents now.'"
"Oohhh... Yes, sir!"
The purple-haired mage watched the four soldiers carefully set down their burden. He peered at it. Where was the sword?
Then, much to his surprise and chagrin, the king strode over to the Bound Chest... and sat on it!
Rage flared inside of him. "What is this mockery?" Vaati hissed. "Where is the Picori Blade, and why are you sitting on the Bound Chest?"
The king looked embarrassed. "Oh, this isn't the Bound Chest," he rumbled, shifting uncomfortably. He cleared his throat again, glancing to his left. He motioned for a soldier to step forward.
"Victor, here is your prize," he said regally as the soldier neatly offered Vaati a sheathed blade.
Vaati ignored it. His red eyes bore into the king's "Where. Is. The Bound. Chest," he gritted out. He was two seconds away from turning them all to stone.
"Your Highness owes him an explanation," the old man with the glasses sniffed, apparently upset with the king as well.
The King of Hyrule sighed heavily in resignation, deflating like a pastry. "Ah, you see..." He looked to the old man for help. He received the underside of a nose. "Hey now, don't be so callous, Minister Potho! Well, it sort of goes like this." He looked at Vaati apologetically. "The traditional Sword Tournament Ceremony has been canceled."
"And why is that?" Vaati asked cautiously. An uneasy feeling began to gnaw at him, as if he would soon see all of his careful planning unravel before his eyes.
"Because I accidentally, uh..." The king took another deep breath. "I accidentally broke the Bound Chest."
