Mipha's Grace
A dock near Megumi's Ryokan
"...What is that, Soma?" a perplexed Megumi commented.
"It's grilled goosefish with paprika and honey mustard" Soma said with a dumb smile, "Want to try it?"
"No" Megumi admitted, "But because I love you, I will." She closed her eyes and expected the worse. Ever since she met Soma four years ago, she was always his test subject for his awful creations. Now it became a bonding moment for them, especially since they were 4 months away from their wedding. She rubbed her engagement ring, trying to relax her nerves.
It didn't work, as the dish was so gross that she lost consciousnesses and fell into the water.
"Megumi!" Soma shouted as he rushed to jump in after her. But when he was able to see into the depths, Megumi was nowhere to be found.
"What the? Where did she go?" Soma thought.
Zora's Domain, 2 and a Half Years before the arrival of Calamity Ganon
"Seggin went a bit too far with the duel" Mipha sighed as she healed Link's cracked ribs, "But it was a bit reckless to fight in the water without a weapon."
"Hmm" Link nodded.
"So, they began the excavation on the Divine Beasts" Mipha sighed, "I hope they do it swiftly, since Calamity Ganon can strike at any moment."
"This feels like a burden" Link sighed, "I am supposed to be knighted in six months and also prepare to be the Hero, as my ancestors have done before me."
"I'm sure you will be fine" Mipha gave a soft smile. Link returned the smile before hearing a splash into the water.
"What was that?" Link shot up.
"I think it was a person!" Mipha uncharacteristically shouted, "I will investigate, you stay here." In a matter of minutes, Mipha retrieved an injured blue haired girl.
"Link, can you fetch me a blanket" Mipha requested, "I need to tend this girl's wounds and clear her lungs." Link nodded before making haste to her quarters; he was back in 3 minutes.
"Hahh, here's the blanket" Link said between breaths, "So, who is she?"
"I am unsure, but she looks like a Hylian but...not" Mipha assessed, "She will probably wake in a few hours, which then we can get some answers."
Link nodded and made an impromptu campfire in between them. And as Mipha predicted, the girl woke up.
"Where am I?" the blue haired girl asked.
"You're in Zora's Domain, if that makes any sense. I'm Link" Link answered. The blue haired girl stared for a minute before realization hit her.
"Wait, what?" she shot up, "How? How can I be in Zora's Domain? How can I be in the Legend of Zelda!"
"The what?" Link and Mipha asked in unison.
"The...oh, wait you wouldn't understand that" Megumi recognized, "Um, let's just say I am not from this world. In fact, where I am from this place is fictional."
"I think we're going to be here awhile" Mipha sighed.
"...Yeah. I am hungry, so maybe I can cook dinner while I explain everything" Megumi sheepishly replied. And so she did, making Ramen from the General store ingridients.
"So...you're fiancee served you a disgusting dish and you passed out into the bay?" Mipha recalled, "That doesn't make sense, unless the dish was so awful it transported you to our world."
"Knowing Soma's experiments, it's totally possible" Megumi sighed.
"An unrepeatable freak accident...or at least that's what Zelda would say" Link summarized.
"Yes, and I barely know anything about this world" Megumi frowned, she just began the game yesterday and had only done two shrines.
"Well, I guess you will need a place to stay then" Mipha thought, "How about Kakariko Village? I'm sure the shiekah will be able to take you in."
"How about here in Zora's Domain?" Megumi wondered, "I know I'm not a Zora, but this place has access to ingredients that are similarly found back home."
"Is your proposition is to be the resident chef?" Mipha asked.
"Yes, what else would I do?" Megumi answered, "Here, dinner is ready." Mipha and Link put a spoonful of the ramen broth into their mouths and were brought back to their childhood.
"This is amazing" Mipha softly smiled, "Your claims to be a world class chef are evident."
"I wish I can cook like this" Link sighed, "I am feel like a complete scrub in comparison."
"So, will this be enough to convince you, Mipha?" Megumi pleaded.
"Hmm, on one condition" Mipha answered, "You will need to teach me and Link how to cook."
"O-okay" Megumi answered.
"Good! Now I will just arrange things with my father and we will get started."
An hour later
"Alright, so this section of the Domain will be molded into an Inn for guests and Zora alike. It will be your new home and workplace" Mipha spoke up. Currently, Mipha and Megumi were standing in an unused platform to the right of throne room and one level below.
"The architecture is outstanding, it will be a wonderful place to visit" Megumi observed, "Hmm, is something wrong?"
"Remember when I said on one condition? I was partially lying" Mipha frowned, "In order to access the freshest ingredients easily, you will need to learn how to swim and fight like a Zora."
Megumi gave a puzzled look, which caused Mipha to sigh.
"To swim like us, I will be crafting a full set of Zora armor, which will allow you to swim up waterfalls, travel longer distances while in the water, and teach you the basics of water fighting. You will also will need to learn how wield a spear or sword. There are dangerous beasts up there, so you need to be armed. In addition, I will have Seggin train you in combat as he did for me" Mipha explained.
"Oh, that makes sense" Megumi nodded.
"There's more" Mipha frowned, "My father wants you to be my guard, as a secondary condition to your stay. Yes, he's a bit concerned even through I am being groomed to be a capable leader."
"Oh"
"To help, I will teach you some healing spells that I gathered from random chests across Hyrule, that way you can do your duty without too much trouble. Unfortunately, I won't be able to teach you the more powerful stuff since my affinity for healing magic is the largest in all of Hyrule" Mipha answered.
"That's fine" Megumi waved her hands, "I will be honest, I am thankful for everything that's been done for me recently. And thinking about it now, I should go to bed soon."
"Alright" Mipha stood up, "I will see you in the morning. Oh and Megumi?"
"Hmm?" Megumi looked up.
"I wish to know you better. Like, more about yourself and your world" Mipha sheepishly confessed, "I wish to be your friend, for a lack of better words."
"Alright, I can do that" Megumi smiled before laying down in the hammock made for her. Mipha smiled back before returning to her quarters.
King Dorephan's Throne Room, 6 months later
Today was the day that Lady Megumi would be formally assigned as Princess Mipha's guardian. To Dorephan's surprise, she was a quick learner and became a proficient fighter and even growing her own in minor healing. He glanced at his daughter, whom who also grown as well. Learning how to cook had its own benefits, mainly being able to create food with restorative properties as well as potions and elixirs. His attention returned back to Megumi, who was fully decked in her Zora armor.
"Lady Megumi, will you honor your duty to protect Princess Mipha to your fullest abilities? Even at the cost of your own life?"
"I shall" Megumi said confidentially.
"And shall you take responsibility for any failures?"
"I shall"
"Then rise Lady Megumi, as you're granted title First Guardian of the Zora" the king commanded. As Megumi gracefully stood, Mipha approached her.
"Congratulation, First Guardian" Mipha smiled, "You've grown faster than anticipated."
"Thank you, my highness" Megumi replied with a bow.
"Please dear, don't be formal now" Mipha softly laughed, "We're piratically sisters at this point." Megumi returned the laugh, as it was true. Mipha and her had bonded greatly over the last six months, to the point where Mipha recognize her as one of her family, despite being human.
"Now that the ceremony is over, I need to show you something" Mipha said while pointing at the East Reservoir Lake, "Meet me there." And so she did, chasing after Mipha up through the waterfalls until they got to the lake. The first thing she noticed was a half-uncovered beast.
"Is this it?" Megumi asked.
"Yes" Mipha nodded, "This is the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. She will be ready within 8 months. There are three other machines out there in Hyrule, all designed to help defeat Calamity Ganon."
"I see" Megumi nodded.
"I've been asked by Zelda and appointed by Father to be the champion that pilots this weapon" Mipha answered, "As my guardian, I think it will be nest for you to also learn the mechanism of Vah Ruta, assuming there is a possibility for a backup pilot."
"Your face holds...doubt" Megumi frowned.
"I can't explain it, but I feel an ominous premonition about this duty...as if there should be a backup in case something goes wrong" Mipha frowned.
"I see" Megumi nodded.
"Nevermind that, there's something else on my mind" Mipha noted, "You're catching up to me as a swimmer."
"Huh?" Megumi blinked.
"Yes, such a thing shouldn't be possible but you're nearly getting closer to the swim speed of a real Zora. Something is off."
"How peculiar" Megumi blinked.
"I have an idea but I won't know until later" Mipha sighed. Megumi gave her a concerned look, but just shook it off and enjoyed the rest of her day in the lake.
However, a month later she called Mipha over to the inn.
"Mipha, something is wrong" Megumi pouted, "My Zora chest piece won't fit anymore."
"Hmm?" Mipha observed, "Oh, it seems your bosom has doubled in size."
"Last I check I was finished with puberty" Megumi sighed. Mipha tilted her head, before she had an idea.
"Megumi, may you crouch down for a bit" Mipha ordered. Megumi did so, only shivering at a strange sensation.
"Just as I feared" Mipha solemnly noted, "Megumi, for whatever reason, you're becoming a Zora."
"What? How is this possible?" Megumi stammered.
"I'm not sure why, as with everything else in regards to your situation" Mipha shook her head, "I can modify the chest piece, but it will take me a few weeks. On the plus side, you can now breath under water with your gills. In addition, your chest grew because of air reserve pockets meant to ease the transition between breathing from the mouth to breathing through the gills."
"I guess that isn't too bad" Megumi chimed, "...I wonder what Soma would think if he knew I was becoming a fish girl." A tear rolled down her eye, recalling her lost love. Mipha said nothing, letting the girl mourn once more. After getting over her shock being in a strange world, she occasionally broke down about how she was trapped here. She got better, but learning that she was becoming a different species seemed to cause a relapse.
"Oh!" Megumi suddenly blushed, "That also means the Zora Armor in time will be null and void...which leads me to this question."
"Yes?" Mipha pondered.
"Why are Zora naked?" Megumi sheepishly asked. Mipha jolted a bit at the question, as it was something just assumed to be normal.
"Mainly to remove any form of drag when swimming" Mipha coughed, "And our scales act like clothing, in a sense. Our...reproductive organs are covered up."
"Oh" Megumi turned her head, "I also assume they're uncomfortable to the touch?"
"That too" Mipha answered. A moment of silence accord between the two girls before Mipha spoke up.
"Since you won't be able to swim up waterfalls for two weeks, can we get into the more advance lessons of cooking?" Mipha said with her normal expression.
"Sure, how about we learn the art of sushi?" Megumi said with smile.
Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, 1 month later
"So, what is you want me to invent?" Purah raised a brow.
"Bracelets that will allow her to control her newfound...electrical powers" Mipha answered. Purah shifted her glasses.
"While I understand Zora are weak against lightning, what I don't understand is why a human turning Zora would even develop a trait" Purah pursed her lips.
"Nothing makes sense in regards to Megumi" Mipha admitted, "But I guess she's becoming a Zora with Electric Eel traits."
"I will see what I can do. In the meantime, I will have Robbie give her the Rubber Armor" Purah chimed.
"I'm sorry for being a hassle" Megumi cried.
"It's okay, we couldn't anticipate this development" Mipha comforted the changing human. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Purah called out. It was Princess Zelda, dressed in more casual attire.
"Hello Purah, Mipha, and Megumi" Zelda greeted, "How is the Sheikah slate coming along?"
"It's fully operational!" Purah exclaimed as she handed the device, "It was difficult to work through, but it's actually really handy!."
"Wonderful!" Zelda exclaimed, "So, what are you two doing here?"
"We're trying to get enchanted bracelet for Megumi...so she can control her new shock powers" Mipha repeated for the princess. Zelda was taken back by the remark.
"Shock powers? A major weakness to the Zora?" Zelda gasped.
"Yes, as she's becoming a Zora with the traits of an electric eel" Mipha explained.
"Huh? Megumi is becoming a Zora? How?" Zelda questioned.
"We're not sure, unfortunately" Mipha sighed before whispering in Zelda's ear "I feel bad for her, as she's been unwittingly pulled into an upcoming war that was once a work of fiction to her." Zelda lightly nodded in agreement.
"Well, I must be off" Zelda bowed, "I'm headed to Spring of Courage to pray." With that, Zelda left the building.
"I hope she finds her answer from the Goddess, we will need all we can get to take down Calamity Ganon" Mipha sighed.
"Agreed" Megumi spoke.
Zora's Domain, 3 months later.
After three months since their trip to Hateno, Megumi transformation was apparent to everyone now. Her entire head was that of a Zora, with her blue hair turning into the familiar fish form and her neck covered in scales. The rest of her was human, so she still wore the Zora chest piece and trousers.
"Okay, it's ready" Mipha smiled, "I altered your First Guardian sash so it can be wrapped around your bosom and also your pelvis. I ensure this cloth would give the modesty you desire without impeding on your swimming."
"It's wonderful!" Megumi smiled softly, "Let me try it on!" After two minutes, Megumi came out of her room.
"So, what do you think?" Megumi asked.
"Looks wonderful. I noticed your hands and feet have reshaped into the normal Zora style, webbing included on the feet" Mipha observed.
"Yes, two days ago" Megumi blushed, "Admittedly, I fell on my tush a few times as a result."
"Haha, I can imagine" Mipha smiled, "By the way, only 3 more months before Vah Ruta will be online. Remember what I told you?"
"Yes, you want to learn it too, despite the fact I am not a champion" Megumi recalled.
"Yes, I wish you learn the nooks and crannies of the machine, to see if there is any secrets that might be overlooked" Mipha answered.
"While you learn the main operations?" Megumi assumed, "That makes sense."
"You're reading me like a book" Mipha pouted, "But I guess that's the nature of our bond. Anyway, just before we start mastering Vah Ruta, Zelda wants to speak with each of the champions."
"I see" Megumi said.
"I will inform her of my plans" Mipha answered, "It might sound odd, but I believe this is for the best."
"Always have a backup plan" Megumi closed her eyes, "She should be understanding."
On a waterfall above Zora's Domain, 3 months later
"May I ask who are the other champions are?" Mipha requested from Zelda. As planned, Zelda met up with Mipha to discuss the formation of the 5 Champions of Hyrule and piloting the Divine Beasts.
"Goron Vigilance Daruk, Rito Confidence Revali, Gerudo Spirit Urbosa and...the Hylian with the sword that seals the darkness...Link" Princess calmly said.
"Oh..." Mipha whispered. In her heart, she already knew what her duty would be for him. Suddenly, she noticed her little brother Sidon at the bottom of basin.
"Sidon, hurry up and swim up here!" Mipha called out.
"Mipha, perhaps he's still too young to swim up here" a worried Zelda spoke.
Letting her trident hit the edge of the waterfall, Mipha turned to speak to Zelda.
"One day, I must leave him...to face my fate with Ruta." With a small smile, Mipha surfed down the waterfall to meet up with her brother. This left Zelda with Megumi, who was fully a Zora now.
"He's still young" Megumi spoke up, "But he's getting better each day with his swimming." Zelda turned to face the former human with a small smile.
"I see" Zelda replied, "I see you've grown accustomed to being a Zora now, though you maintain some human modesty."
"More or Less" Megumi smirked, "You also wished to speak to me?"
"Yes" Zelda nodded, "Mipha told me she chose you to be a backup pilot, just in case something goes wrong."
"As it is my duty to protect her at all costs, I will be on-board Vah Ruta when Calamity Ganon strikes. So, it makes sense to her that I assist on learning the mechanisms of the beast" Megumi explained.
"I do not understand her intent, but I shall approve of it nonetheless. Due keep in mind that this is unprecedented and might not work out" Zelda answered.
"Will do, princess" Megumi bowed, "In the end, we all share the same paradigm."
A/N: Ahhhh, I can't stop writing new fanfics, leads to stuff getting behind. Oh well, since thos fic will only be updated once I complete major segments of the game.
A few things:
A. Yes, I am allowing Megumi be a backup/co-pilot for Vah Ruta. There is a reason for this, a fairly obvious one if you think about it.
B. I do have a reason why Megumi became a Zora, a logical one in fact. But I won't reveal it for awhile.
C. Sorry, but Megumi won't compete for Link. Her heart will be always for Soma. Poor Soma :(