Hey guys, Steamrail74 here. Well it seems that I'm now posting my second fic on this site. Another Zelda Crossover, but I feel that it will be as enjoyable as my first.
I do not own Dark Chronicle 2 or Legend of Zelda, but I do own the OC that Link meets later in the chapter. Happy reading, and I greatly appreciate reviews.
I would also like to thank Beautiful Creation for beta reading for me
*Quick note- I only posted the prologue and chapter 1 together since the prologue was so short. Anyway, just letting you know.*
Dark Chronicle 2- When Worlds Collide
Prologue
The skies were dark around the abode of three celestial beings; each of which were the creators of a world that has been unknown to the rest of time and space since its birth. The three beings, sisters by blood, looked around with fear; as they could sense the fabric of time rippling… but this ripple was quickly becoming a tear that even they, possessors of great power, themselves were unable to fix. The sister glowing green, named Farore, frowned in disappointment that even they couldn't stop the inevitable.
"The tear has grown wider…" Said the sister glowing red, named Din.
"There has to be something we can do," Farore sighed, "We are celestial deities, nothing should stop us."
"I apparently thought so too sister," The being glowing blue, named Nayru, replied, "But I sense that this power is even greater than our own."
"But what about our chosen disciples?"
"Not even they would be able to survive. The way things are now, not even we will survive… and all will be covered in darkness as this dark power recreates the universe in their image. Our creation's death will be silent and painless as they are unknowingly erased from existence"
Farore never felt so helpless. Being the embodiment of Courage, she normally never let the odds keep her down; but this time was different. Her sisters felt the same. Din was the embodiment of Power, and Nayru was the embodiment of Wisdom. As they looked at the ever growing tear in the fabric of space and time, they prepared to accept the unavoidable and wait for it to come. The deity of Courage however argued with herself in her mind. She didn't want to just give up and watch Hyrule, and the rest of the universe, fall into darkness and despair; but how could she find any way to stop the coming evil? Farore stormed off in tears as she refused to watch the coming death take place. As her teary eyes looked around was the rest of the dimensional fabric, two lights glowed faintly; one red and the other blue. Curious, she wiped away the tears from her eyes and headed for the source of the twin lights. As she neared the source, the lights formed into the silhouettes of human children; though their details were drowned in the lights. Farore stepped back slightly in surprise.
"Don't worry," They said in unison, "You've no need to fear us."
"Who are you?" Farore asked.
"The better question to ask, is WHAT are we?"
"What do you mean?"
"We are known as the Atlamillia." They explained, "There were three of us, but our brother was killed with his bearer, and split his power between the two of us."
"Atlamillia?" The deity of Courage repeated.
"That is correct," The twins continued, "Our brother was the guardian of the Sun. The one of us glowing red is the guardian of Earth, and the other glowing blue is the guardian of the Moon.
"Earth?"
"We come from a dimension different than yours, but seen as your creation sees you and your sisters. Our home, and where our chosen bearers call home as well, is called Earth." The twins looked to the rip in the fabric of time and then back at Farore, "You still wish to save our universe, correct?"
Farore nodded.
"Then we must unite you and your sister's chosen hero with our own," They continued, "This evil is both from your world and ours; united under one cause."
"But what do they plan to do?"
"We do not know, but if we are to stop them from succeeding, we must unite our disciples and guide them as best we know how… even if it means speaking with them face to face."
The deity of Courage looked down and pondered. "It's not like we have a choice…" She thought to herself, "Din and Nayru have already accepted their fate, so it'll be up to me to inspire them to fight again. I can't do it alone, but perhaps with the help of these two we may stand a chance against the darkness… Even if not to protect what we have created, I would die full of regret if I knew that my sisters didn't go down fighting." She looked up at the Atlamillia twins and spoke again, "Where must our chosen bearers meet?"
"We are unable to decide," The twins replied, "But we shall warn our bearers of their coming journey, as you must do so with yours."
"But my sisters have given up the will to fight, how will they tell their chosens?"
"Then you must first convince your disciple of what will come to pass, and then convince the others through him to fight. Perhaps our chosens will be there to assist; perhaps not… only time will tell."
Farore knew that since Nayru was also charged with the flow of Time, she had the power to view what will come to pass; but her recent desire to do nothing but wait to die made it highly unlikely that she took the time to look. As they all looked back at the tear, a sudden pulse made it grow only a little wider.
"Our time has grown short," The twins finished, "Convince your chosen of what will come to pass, as we will with ours. Perhaps then we may stop the coming darkness and change the future of our worlds."
"Wait!" Farore called as the twins began to disappear, "How will we meet again?"
"Only time will tell…" They concluded as they disappeared back into the dimensional fabric.
Chapter 1-
*In Palm Brinks*
"GAH! How could've I let this happen?! AGAIN!" A boy of about 16 growled in exasperation as he looked at the clock sitting on his workbench. It read 9:45PM, meaning it was late in the night. This night however was different from others, as the yearly carnival had returned to the boy's home town of Palm Brinks.
"Max?" An elderly voice called from nearby, "I thought you were goin' to the carnival."
"I was, Cedric," Max sighed, "But I guess I overslept."
"Workin' on Parn's paintin' machine again?"
"Yup…"
"What'd he do to it this time?" Cedric rolled his eyes as he refitted his worker's cap on his head; knowing that Parn, the town artist, had become a frequent customer to his repair shop in the recent weeks.
"Just like last time," Max shrugged, "He overfilled the paint reservoir and the pipes got clogged."
"I keep tellin' that joker to stop fillin' the blasted thing with too much paint…"
"Maybe we should just say that he broke it too many times?"
"Well… You wouldn't be lying there. But our responsibility is to fix what's broken… regardless of how many times the same thing gets broke…"
Max laughed at Cedric's sense of humor as he put away his tool set.
"Why don't you just get yer' behind on to the carnival grounds?" Cedric asked, "I'll finish lookin' at the paint machine while you're gone."
"Much appreciated Cedric," Max smiled, "See you later."
"Have fun, and don't forget to snag me a few bags of Ferdinand's carnival peanuts if'n you get the chance."
Max nodded as he started out the door and for the carnival grounds. Much of the street was empty since everyone else was already at the carnival. Ever since many of the people of Palm Brinks had immigrated to other lands connected to their railroad line, The Blackstone Railroad, Mayor Need had organized a yearly festival to commemorate the time that the once shut-in little town had forever opened its gates for the people to explore. He looked up at the moon as its bright face stared down upon the little town and remembered that he at one time was used to seeing two moons in the night sky. It was about two years ago that he started out on an adventure to save his home from the forces of Emperor Griffin, though in reality was saving it from the Dark Element as it attempted to bring one of the moons, called the Star of Oblivion, down to destroy everything. Remembering his journey made his mind flash to seeing his mother's smiling face; and this caused Max to sigh in disappointment.
"It's been two whole years since my adventure," Max thought as he walked down to empty street, putting his hands in his overall's pockets, "And it's been that same amount of time since I last saw my Mother."
His mind then flashed to another face that he remembered was with him on his adventure- Monica; a princess from one-hundred years into the future; the same time his Mother came from. Her pale crimson eyes and hair glistened in his thoughts as he reminisced about what it was like having her as a partner in his adventure; both the good times and the other times she became unbearable to live with. In her defense however, Monica was of royalty; so Max figured early on that she was used to people saying only nice things about her and keeping the other comments unsaid. Shaking his head back into reality some ten minutes later made Max find that the carnival was now in front of him.
"Maybe a little fun might clear my mind." Max shrugged, "Now the key is… What to do first?"
"Why Max, good to see you here." A voice called out to him.
Max looked in the direction of the voice to find his former next door neighbor, Claire, walking up to meet him.
"Oh, hey Claire. It's been a while." Max greeted, "How've you been?" During his adventure two years ago, Max had helped Claire immigrate to the seashore village of Veniccio to the far west of Palm Brinks; of where she still currently resided, but recently came back to town for the carnival.
"I've been faring well," She replied, "How about you? I'm surprised that in the two years the gates have been open you haven't found a new place to live."
"Yeah, well I felt that I wasn't quite ready to head out just yet. But I know I will at some point."
"Well you know I still have room in my house in Veniccio if you ever do come to that decision." Claire winked at Max.
"I'll let you know if I do." Max returned, as that had been his standard answer for when Claire invited him to stay with her. Claire always had a crush of sorts on Max since the two first met as children. Both being from wealthy families, they usually got along nicely and remained friends through the years. It was only in the last year that Claire had begun to make her admiration much more known to Max; since she felt that with Monica gone she could entice Max into loving her.
"You better, Max." Claire giggled, "The seashore's awfully lonely to walk by yourself."
"I'm sure it is." Max returned, looking for a way to escape the conversation.
It was about that moment that Claire took sight of a few of the attractions.
"Hey Max," She started, "Why not keep me company while we're looking around the carnival?"
"I don't see why not." Max shrugged, "Were you doing anything before you saw me here?"
"Not at all," She sighed, "I was just getting ready to call it a night and go home, until I found you walking into the grounds that is."
"Me and my timing…" Max mumbled to himself.
Both then started deeper into the fairgrounds and observed several of the attractions, and occasionally getting on or participating in one every so often. About an hour passed, though it felt like much longer to poor Max, before they stopped at a bench to wait for a few lines to shrink.
"I have to say that my Father really did well on this year's carnival." Claire began.
"Definitely." Max agreed, "It gets better every year, and Mayor Need certainly makes sure of that."
"Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, you?"
"With you here, yes."
Max sighed silently to himself at that response. Seeing the crowds disperse a little gave Max a sight of the fun house; and thus gave him a plan to escape.
"Hey Claire," He began, "You want to try the fun house?"
"I've already been in there," She answered, "But it you want to go we can."
"Well I just figured that we could try it."
"Okay, then let's go."
They started for the fun house and eventually got inside. Feeling Claire hug his arm made Max wonder if his plan would actually work.
"I was hoping to lose her in here," He thought, "But she's squeezing my arm way too tight to even consider it."
"It started to get a little scary from here," Claire started, "Could you hold me a little tighter please?"
"You're doing that enough to my arm…" Max murmured silently.
Sure enough, as Claire had said, the lights incrementally got dimmer and dimmer until only the moon outside was the only source of light. Looking around in the corridor of mirrors they were able to see several multiples of themselves from several different angles as they advanced. Eventually Claire had released Max's arm, whether by getting tired of hugging it or what, so Max decided to put his plan into action. He looked around for anything that could be used to 'frighten' them and finally found a fake skeleton suspended in the air by a string coming from the ceiling. The skeleton quickly came down as they neared the entity, as if they stepped on a pressurized tile in the floor behind them to trigger it. Raising his arms in 'fear' he was able to pull skeleton down as it landed on top of Claire. She squealed in surprise as she was quickly trying to get it off, but unintentionally grabbed Max's arm and held it tight as she forced the model off of her and onto the floor.
"Darn it…" Max thought, "I was almost ready outta here too…"
"That was scary," Claire whimpered, "But I'm glad it's over."
"Yeah, are you ok?"
"Better now, ready to move on?"
"Sure…"
As they passed out of the mirror portion of the house, they entered a maze of hallways. Max felt little trouble making his way around the corridors, as he was able to solve mazes quickly from an early age on, but still having Claire on his arm made it both slower and more awkward. Eventually they came to a fork in the hallway as both Max and Claire looked for a way to go.
"I remember there being several ways to get to the end," Claire thought out loud, "But I don't quite remember this way."
"Think we should split up?" Max asked, "We'd be able to cover more ground that way."
"I can see that, so sure. I'll take this path, and you take that one."
"Sounds good."
Both started down their designated path until Max doubled back when he knew that Claire was around the corner of her corridor.
"Now's my chance," He thought as he looked to see if Claire was nearby, "If nothing happens this time…"
He sprinted down the previous hallways with ease and navigated through the hall of mirrors before making his way outside and reducing his running speed. Looking back, Max figured that he better put more distance between himself and the fun house before Claire decided to go looking for him; so he started back for Cedric's Maintenance Shop and decided to call it a night.
"Oh yeah," He thought as he snapped his fingers, "I better go see Ferdinand real quick before I head back."
Max started for the food stand and met his family's former personal chef.
"Ahh bonjour Max," Ferdinand greeted happily, "How have you been?"
"Pretty good so far Ferdinand," Max returned, "And yourself?"
"I have been doing great since I recently discovered an amazing new cooking trick for my signature carnival peanuts. Now they're tastier than ever!"
"That's awesome to hear, and it just so happens that I came here to get some for Cedric before I head back."
"Ahh in that case have a bag for him and one for you, on the house!"
The chef handed two bags to Max with the biggest smile on his face.
"Thanks Ferdinand, take care."
"And the very same to you dear Max, fare thee well!"
Max started down the street with both bags in his arms; sighing in relief that Claire hadn't found him sneaking out. Another ten minutes passed before he made it back to the shop and entered.
"Ah, Max," Cedric greeted as the boy walked through the door, "Back already?"
"Yeah, I had a little… girl trouble… while I was there."
"Ha ha ha… Say no more, I understand where you're comin' from." Cedric laughed, as he was told about Claire's affection for Max in the past by the latter.
"Thanks Cedric. Oh by the way, I was able to snag a bag of peanuts for you."
"Ahh… Now this is where paradise is." Cedric grinned as he tossed what was left of his cigar in the trashcan, crossed his legs on top of his desk, and graciously accepted the delicacy.
"Ferdinand was telling me that he found a new way to cook the peanuts recently, so he said that they're tastier than ever."
Cedric opened one and crunched contentedly, "Well I'll say that I agree with 'em a hundred percent. Not too salty, not too sweet, and a perfect crunch."
Max opened his bag and snack on then as the two talked the night away.
*In Hyrule*
As the sun painted the horizon various mixes of red and orange, a lone figure, saddled atop a steed, voyaged across the empty field; heading for a mighty castle in the distance. The figure was immortalized in history, as being the hero that saved the land from the grip of the evil king. The figure's name… was Link. He had begun as a simple farmhand in the small village of Ordon, situated in the Faron Province to the south of Hyrule Castle, and became the savior of Hyrule; now serving in the Royal Guard as an elite knight. This honor was given to him by none other than the ruling monarch over the land herself… Queen Zelda Hylia Harkinian XV. Link was on his return trip from the Eldin Province to report to Queen Zelda the latest news of the Goron's economy on the mountain of the province- Death Mountain. Link arrived at the castle gates and the guards stationed there let him pass with no question; as Link had grown himself a reputation among the Royal Guard rather quickly. He walked through the Castle Town Market and was escorted to the Throne Room; where Queen Zelda waited patiently for Link's return. Link knelt in respect as Zelda arose from her throne to meet the hero.
"Arise, Link," Queen Zelda began, with Link obeying silently, "Anything to report from your visit with the Goron Chief?"
"Nothing new to report this time Your Highness," Link returned, "Just the same old usual."
A silence ensued for a moment as the two were left alone in the Throne Room.
"It really is good to see you again." Zelda stated.
"Likewise," The hero answered, "Every time I leave this place now I feel like I'm on another adventure to save the kingdom…Though in reality it's just traveling here and there as necessary."
"Even then, you still do what you can to ensure peace and tranquility within the kingdom, and for that I thank you."
"Just glad I'm doing my part."
Zelda sensed a little tinge of disappointment in Link's voice; as she knew full well that he had grown accustomed to the thrilling life of being on the edge and fighting evil to the death wherever it may lurk. With this said, all the assignments that Link had been given were often the most dangerous ones the queen could find, but even then still weren't enough to satisfy the hero's craving for adventure.
"I can tell you're disappointed." She started.
"What?! No way, what would make you think that?" Link retorted.
"I am the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom after all, so I'm a little smarter than you realize."
Link had no comment.
"I have tried to give you the most dangerous assignments I've been able to find, and-"
"And those are good enough." Link interrupted, "I just need to adapt myself to the slower pace of action."
"Spoken like a true hero. I am regretful however that I have been unable to help satisfy your need for adventure entirely."
"No need to be sorry, everything's an adventure if you look at it the right way."
The queen grinned at Link's comment, and then suddenly remembered one assignment that every knight had failed miserably with to date when charged with it.
"I'm not sure you're aware," Zelda began, "But I believe I may have just remembered an assignment for you if you are able to accept."
The hero nodded as he opened his ears to listen closely.
"For the last few months there have been several reports of a flying ship that has traveled throughout the skies of Hyrule, I assume you've seen it from time to time?"
Link nodded again.
"Reports from witnesses claim that the inhabitants of the ship call themselves Sky Pirates; but unlike any pirates, they have been responsible for keeping peace in provinces that were lesser assigned patrol troops, and even some that had several. When the troops arrived to stop any potential crime from taking place when given word, they found everything to be already under control and a note nearby the scene of the incident from the leader of the Sky Pirates; one who calls himself the Sky Boss."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"I need you to track down this Sky Boss and bring him to me; I simply would like to talk with him regarding his actions within the kingdom and why he chooses to do them."
"Curious are we?"
Zelda gave a sarcastic smile, "Oh, only a little."
"So where was this Sky Boss last seen?"
"Witness reports say that they often land their ship in Lake Hylia when not 'on duty'; so there might be the first place to look."
"Understood, I shall leave in the morning."
"Be careful."
"I will."
Link then knelt in respect again before heading for the door at the far end of the Throne Room. He could swear however that he saw the tail-end of a silhouette hide behind one of the windows high up on the far left wall, but he shrugged it off; figuring that he was probably just more tired than he figured. As he left the town market and castle gates and headed for the main gate leading for Kakariko Village, he heard a swooshing of air from behind him. All was quiet as he stood alone on the bridge. Link drew his blade and watched carefully for any signs of movement.
"I know you're out there," Link called, "So just come out and fight me!"
"Fight you?" A voice casually called from behind Link, "Now why would I do that? I've no score to settle."
Link turned quickly to find a figure leaning on one of the wood poles situated every so often along the bridge. The figure was cloaked in a long dark gray, near black, jacket striped with pale blue near the bottom and around the short sleeves. He had his arms crossed over his chest as his brown eyes watched the hero intently from under a large brimmed fedora the same color as his jacket; with a pair of goggles wrapped around the center. His matching blue scarf, reaching well down his back in length, swayed in the breeze. He looked to be no older than 18 years of age; the same age as the hero himself.
"You," Link started as he readied for battle, "Who're you?"
The figure didn't answer, but simply snapped his fingers as a burly man suddenly grabbed Link from behind and forcefully held a drugged cloth to his face.
"Rest assured my friend," The figure smirked, "I'll tell you exactly who I am; but here in the open isn't the safest place to do it."
Slowly succumbing to the sudden and overwhelming desire to sleep, Link's body went limp as he stopped struggling and dropped his sword and shield onto the ground with two clangs. The figure walked over and took Link's scabbard off his back and put the sword in it, and then picked up both that and the shield.
"Alright boys," He called, "We have what we need, back to the ship!"
That was the last thing Link remembered hearing before all his senses went fuzzy and faded to black.
Link's senses came to about a couple hours later, only to find himself sitting on a sailing ship's deck and tied to a chair. He blinked a few times before he found the same figure from before sitting cross-legged on a crate situated in front of him. The moon had already begun its ascent into the sky at this time; so much of the deck was in the dark; though the entire ship was lined with torches to provide lighting.
"Sleep well?" The figure asked jovially.
"Actually I'm wondering if I'm still dreaming." Link returned.
"Ha ha ha ha! I love this guy's sense of humor." The figure laughed as he glimpsed around at the other people surrounding them.
"Could you tell me where I am please?"
"Ah yes, forgive me. You my friend are aboard my ship, the Flying Freedom."
"Flying Freedom? Then that means you're-"
"That's right," The figure smirked, "I am the legendary Sky Boss."
Link's eyes widened as he realized what just hit him, "You're the one I was charged to bring in to see Queen Zelda."
"I know," The Sky Boss nodded, "I listened to the whole conversation while you were in there talking with her earlier this evening."
Link then remembered the silhouette he saw as he left the Throne Room earlier, and then realized that he was right when he thought he saw it. Now he wished he put more thought into it at the time.
"If you were there," Link questioned as he struggled in his bonds of rope, "Then why didn't you reveal yourself?"
"Let's just say that I'm not too keen on the idea of meeting with her."
"And why is that?"
"Call it bad experiences with heartless monarchs as a kid."
"But Zelda isn't heartless."
"Says one of her Royal Knights and personal friend. I'll believe that when I see it for myself."
"Then why don't you come and see instead of just hiding from sight and being labeled a rogue vigilante?"
The burly man from before made a quick step forward and grabbed Link by the tunic; suspending him, and the chair he was tied to, off the ground by a few inches.
"You better watch your mouth when you're talking to the Sky Boss, hero." He threatened, sarcastically stressing the word hero, "Because he has the power to kill you where you sit and not think twice about it."
"Melzo," The Sky Boss ordered, "Cool it will you? He did me no harm by asking a simple question."
Melzo dropped Link back on the ground with a growl and backed off, but continued to stare daggers at him.
"He's a little protective of me," The Sky Boss shrugged, "You'll have to excuse him."
"I can tell." Link agreed, glimpsing at Melzo and the other pirates surrounding him, "Now would it be possible to let me go?"
"Well now that all depends on you, my friend. Do you so swear not to speak of me or anything that takes place aboard this ship, except what I tell you to repeat?"
Link's eyebrows knitted themselves together at his question. Seeing no response, the Sky Boss continued.
"You see," He explained, "The moral code that holds this ship together… is trust. If I can't trust you, then what reason have I to do what you ask?"
The Sky Boss had a point. If Link was going to get free, he would have to gain his trust.
"Fine." Link finally agreed, "Now let me go please?"
The Sky Boss looked over at Melzo and nodded. Melzo then walked over and undid the knots in the rope to let Link loose.
"Now that I know I can trust you," The Sky Boss grinned, "Let's call off the formalities while aboard my ship. Call me Gerald… Sky Boss Gerald."
"Alright then, Gerald, you think we can talk now?"
"I don't see why not, but you may be looking for these later if I don't give them back now."
Gerald then picked up Link's scabbard from behind the crate he sat on and tossed it at Link, and then followed with his shield.
"Follow me to my quarters," Gerald finished, "We'll talk there." Link reequipped his gear as the Sky Boss stood up from the crate he was sitting on.
"Alright boys," He then called, "Finish your duties and call it a night! Link is until otherwise stated by me a personal guest aboard this ship."
Instantly all the other pirates went back to what they were doing aboard the ship as if Link was suddenly nonexistent. Gerald then led Link to his personal quarters to begin discussions.
So what do you guys think? pretty good? Little work? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Reviews are greatly appreciated.