Whew! This was a quick one to get done, but no less exhausting.
Now a few things to know here:
1) All character are from Zelda continuity, this is an AU that melds the legend into the modern, with a few creative liberties.
2) All characters are Human. Magical creatures are a bit of a toss-up, but probably won't be mentioned.
3) we want this to do well, so PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
now that that's all out of the way... hm? oh, right...
I don't own Legend of Zelda or Miraculous Ladybug, I only co-own this story along with my sister.
now then, ON WITH THE SHOW!
Chapter 2: Argorok King
Link hurried home as fast as his shoes could carry him, his mind riddled with many questions and his hands carrying the blue chest. This… wolf… kwami… whatever, was curled up in the box like a little doghouse. For crying out loud, not only did this thing jump him into fighting the Cuccoo Queen with some magical things - which while cool, life or death was on the line! - and saving a girl and his apparent partner, he wanted some answers!
He greeted his mom as he burst into the house and bolted into his room, throwing off his backpack and slamming the box onto his desk (miraculously, the box didn't break from the force of it), opening it to have the kwami roll out onto its back.
"Alright, mutt. Start talking." He glowered, not falling for the cute act anytime soon.
"But Bobo, why are you so -" the fairy creature looked closer at him, and began whining like he was just kicked for no good reason.
Link flinched, he didn't think his intimidation was that good, but he tried to console the kwami. "L…look, I'm not this Bobo or whatever. My name is Link, what's yours?"
The evergreen-colored pup stared up at him with big eyes for a moment before responding, "My name's Bleddyn! I'm the Kwami of Courage!" The pup's tail was going a meter a moment.
"Courage… yeah. And I'm guessing that you made me into the… 'Sheikhan Wolf'?"
"Yup!" Bleddyn's tail wagged faster, "You an' me an' Athy are gonna save the world! It'll be like when I did it with Bobo and his Athy!"
"So… this is a generational thing." Several tropes related to such went through Link's head as he started to piece things together, "And I'm the new one. What qualifications do I have that allow me to become Sheikhan Wolf?"
"I mistook you for Bobo, that was why I picked you!" Well at least the little guy's honest.
"Ok, then… what else can Sheikhan do?" Link asked. "I can't just swing the sword all the time and expect it to work."
"You can pull stuff!" Bleddyn flipped in the air and floated. Seeing Link's blank look, he sighed and his eyes went sharp. "You can pull out a necessary item to beat a Gufuu from the pouch at your waist. More often it's random, but it's always practical."
Link gaped at the shift of the Kwami's tone. And eyes. And pretty much everything. 'Is this the same person… dog… Kwami thing?' He thought while blinking in confusion. "Wait, why didn't you act like this earlier?"
"I just woke up and thought I saw my old friend. I was happy!"
'No wonder people dislike companions in games so much… goddesses help me figure out what to do with this guy.' Link let out a huff-sigh as he tried to figure out what in Hyrule to do about this whole superhero thing. "Ok, what else can Sheikhan do?"
"You have control over the winds!" Bleddyn switched back to his cheerful demeanor. "You could feel that going on when you dove at the big bird."
"Ooh… makes sense, I guess. If I'm gonna be working with someone who can fly I gotta keep up somehow. So how much of the control is conscious versus unconscious or impulsive?"
"All depends on training!" Bleddyn said, floating about. "Though that thingy you used today was pretty helpful." He zoomed into to the purple bag and Link stared at the bag, expecting it to blow up. After a minute, Bleddyn floated back over to him, and sat on the blue chest. "Okay, it's part of your normal inventory now."
"Ravio is going to kill me," Link groaned quietly as he pushed some of dirty blond hair out of his face.
"Nah, you're good. It'll just be attached to your belt. The original is still in that bag."
"Oh thank Nayru," Link sighed in great relief, "I would've had to sell a kidney to pay Ravio back."
"Why's that?" Bleddyn gave him a confused look.
"Let's just say Ravio's services aren't cheap… sometimes I think it has to do with his so-called connections and I worry…" Link shuddered. "Anything else?"
"For now?" Bleddyn's eyes grew sharp once more. "Pumpkin."
"...what?"
"I. Want. Pumpkin." The kwami stressed each word. "Pie, ice cream, cupcakes, I don't care! We work together, I get pumpkin goodies to recharge."
'Why couldn't it be fall right now? Everything but the kitchen sink is pumpkin spice during that time, I could totally be in the clear until winter!' Link thought as he wracked his brain to figure out what in the world to feed the little guy. "Can I get a few minutes to figure out how to get your pumpkin… whatever?" He asked tentatively.
"Considering the Gufuu is still out there? Not likely."
"What? Athena shot it right in the head, I saw it myself! How can it still be out there!?"
"What do you mean we had to hit it twice?!" Zelda shrieked as she put her nightgown on.
Brawynn was on the nightstand with a bag of seeds, nibbling away. "Athena and Sheikhan Wolf are a team. That includes purification of the Gufuu and the purging. Don't blame yourself or him. It was your first battle, mistakes can happen."
'Not for me, I can't afford to make mistakes!' Zelda thought as she debated tearing her nightgown off to get her day clothes back on, "Can we find it?"
"More than likely no." the bird kwami sighed. "It won't be found until it causes havoc again."
Zelda whined and unceremoniously flopped face first into her bed and pillows with a groan, "This isn't going to end well, I just know it!" Though her voice was muffled by her goose down pillows, the statement came out pretty clearly.
Brawynn sighed and floated onto Zelda's head "Fretting over it won't do you any good. Rest now."
"Okay…" Zelda muttered, "could you move first so that I don't squish you while turning over?"
Brawynn giggled and flew to the corner of the bed, nestling into a pillow. "Good night, Zelda."
"Good… night, Brawynn..." Zelda dozed off, her mind filled with many anxious thoughts.
A new day had dawned, and Zelda was up as the blue sky glinted. A smile on her face and nothing to stop her.
She was going to school. As in, she was going to public school. Giving herself a once over in the mirror, she quadruple checked to make sure everything looked okay together. 'Baby blue frilly jersey top? Check. Slightly loose, pale… I think periwinkle? Anyway, slightly loose jeans of an indeterminate color that compliments my top? Check. Hair up in a ponytail to show I'm all business? Check! Blue ombre scarf to hide my magical choker? Check. Now for my lucky charm…' she paused as she looked over at Brawynn, "How am I going to sneak you into school?"
Brawynn floated over her ensemble, before pointing to her bag. "While it might not be roomy, it's more preferable than a cage."
Zelda picked it up and examined it. It was a canvas messenger bag that was various lavender hues done up in a repeated triangle pattern, she remembered buying it on impulse some weeks earlier thinking she would need it for public school one day. Guess she was right after all. "We'll both have to be careful then due to my books," she then opened it up and examined the inside further, "but there's a small pocket here I can leave some seeds in for you!"
"And I thank you for your gracious offering." The Kwami smiled. "Shall we?"
"Let's! Brawynn, spread your wings!"
One transformation later had Athena soaring through the skies. 'I'll never get tired of this feeling.' The thermals made her rise above the buildings. A small part of her wanted to walk down with them, but right now was not the best time. Harkinian Academy was closing in, and time was running out. 'Just a few more meters and I'm in the clear!' She touched down in a nearby alleyway and released her transformation. As Brawynn got comfortable in the bag, Zelda sped down the sidewalk into the school courtyard, and then -
"ZELDA. MOIRA. CALLAGHAN!" Boy wasn't that voice all too familiar… and livid. Impa came storming into view looking a little worse for wear, if anything it looked more like she decided to jump over all the buildings between the manor and the school to make it here.
(Well she did, a la parkour, but that's besides the point)
"Impa!? How did - you're suppose to be - how!?" Zelda skidded to a stop as her constant chaperone loomed in on her.
"You'd be surprised what I can be capable of when I find that my boss's daughter had fled to try and attend public school again despite his wishes!"
"But…but Impa!" 'Hindsight, why didn't you see this coming?!'
"No buts, Zelda! You're a teenager, not a child, that excuse won't work." Impa snapped.
"Impa?" The two of them stopped as they heard a third come into the fray. She was a tall but stocky woman, wearing a smooth black open blazer over a white blouse. She wore a skirt that went to her ankles, and three bangles on each arm. Her face was soft, but it could be stern at a moment's notice. Her most distinguishing feature was something Zelda recognized very well: ombre red dreadlock braids tied in a ponytail. "It's been a long time."
"Telma..."
"Telma?" Zelda repeated softly in confusion. 'Telma must be that third person from Impa's picture. Her hair has won against the test of time.'
Telma's gaze fell on Zelda, and her eyes brightened. "Well, aren't you a sight. Little Zelda all grown up! Come here and give your Auntie Telma a hug."
"Okay?" With obvious apprehension, the young blonde went over to the older redhead and awkwardly hugged her. Telma embraced her hard into her bosom and spun her around.
"Just look at you sweetie, you're the spitting image of Hylia." She laughed.
Zelda would have responded, but right now she was having trouble breathing. 'Goddesses… spare… me…!' Where was a hero when she needed one.
"Telma, release her. Her face is going to go as blue as her scarf at this rate." Impa sighed in a mildly amused manner at her old friend's antics with her charge.
Telma huffed, but let her go, the young girl taking hearty deep breaths. "So, decided to come to school, sweetheart?"
Zelda bit her lower lip just a tad and looked over at Impa, "Um… j-just a tour. I think? Dad insists on being homeschooled so I'm not sure if I'll be able to come."
Impa stepped forward. "Actually, we were just leaving."
Zelda looked disheartened, catching the redhead's eye.
"Now hold on right there, honey." Telma prodded a finger into Impa's shoulder. "You honestly think that no-good lunk knows what's best for Hylia's daughter?"
Impa stared at her old friend. "It's out of my hands."
"That's right, girlfriend." Telma smirked and grabbed Zelda by the waist. "And she's in mine, now."
"Huh?!" was the collective reaction as Zeda was carried into the school at a fast pace.
"Telma, get back here!" Impa ran after them, but the doors quickly closed with them on the other side. "TELMA!"
"See you after school, Twiggy! Let's catch up!"
"I am in so much trouble." Zelda stated with a nervous laugh laced through her words. 'Oh goddesses I'm going to be locked away in a tower like in fairy tales because of this.'
"Now don't you worry about Impa, Zelda. She's as stubborn as they come." Temla comforted, righting the young girl's stance. "Your mother was the only one to break through that headstrong attitude of hers." The older woman smiled. "Now come on. Let's get you registered into class."
"She was?" Zelda looked up at her with a rather doe-eyed expression. Except for a few tidbits here and there, nobody ever really talked to her about her mom. Then she heard the part about class and got jittery. 'I get to go to class!' She thought with a big smile.
Link was staring intently at his smartphone trying to find any place that sold anything made from, out of or that tasted like pumpkins outside of fall. This search was not going over all that well, only able to find pumpkin pies under supermarket names, meaning they were generic as all get out and he worried that just store-bought might send Bleddyn in a fit. It was hard to tell because he could be happy one moment then the opposite at the drop of a hat. 'He makes cats look less moody…'
As Link worked on his searching, the rest of the classroom was buzzing with excitement and curiosity. Some students from the college got footage of 'two mysterious masked people' taking down the monster that had suddenly materialized on the grounds, which caused several speculations, debates and people quick to take sides on whether they're real heroes or if it was all staged for their ego.
The class was split up as so:
Thinking the duo heroes is Darunia, Lana (but it's a closeted choice), Agitha, Hilda and Saria.
Those who think them ego-strokers are Cia, Stalworth, and Groose.
Everyone else was pretty neutral about it. Ravio wondered if he could make a few super shiny Rupees out of merchandise though.
And that's when the door to the classroom opened and Miss Telma stepped in with a very special guest at her side.
"Rise and shine, ya slackers! I've brought a new student for you all."
Due to Miss Telma being a force of nature within the walls of the school, even Cia was quick to turn her attention on hearing the teacher speak.
"This here is a late entry to the class, but you better treat her right or else! Meet Zelda Callaghan." Miss Temla smiled wide. Zelda herself had a light blush from the embarrassing attention.
Link just about dropped his phone. 'Did she say…!?'
"Zellie, darling!" Cia squeed while trying to flag her 'friend' down as though she was a taxi cab, "I'm so glad you could make it!"
And while all the guys stared slack-jawed, Hilda praying for Zelda surviving the day and Nabooru analyzing their new classmate, Link was pretty sure his heart just stopped. Zelda Callaghan, the puppy-love-turned-crush-turned-hard(er)-crush was standing right there. In his classroom. She was going to his school. Out of nervousness he pulled his hood up and hoped that nobody, especially her, would notice.
Zelda turned away and looked at Link, and he felt his throat clench up. She waved at him and quickly used Hylian Sign language to say hi to him. He responded quickly back with the same hand signs and was also pretty sure that Ravio, who was no more than 3 feet away from him in this class, was going to use this moment to relentlessly tease him until they were in their graves.
"Mmm… there's a spot in the back and to the right there, why not park your stuff there for the time being hun?" Telma suggested as she motioned to aforementioned empty seat.
Zelda nodded and headed over after Telma gave her one final (and not TOO breath-stopping) hug. She noticed a red-haired girl was across from her and gave a shy but friendly hand wave and smile, to which she got a nod of confirmation from the teenaged redhead.
'SAME. SECTION. OF DESKS. AS ME. BUT BEHIND ME. GODDESSES.' Link's internal panic continued to rise. He felt his phone buzz and saw Ravio sent a message, as indicated by the Rupee with edited-in rabbit ears icon.
R: [Dude, why are you so tense? Is it because Zelda's here?]
R: [It is, isn't it?]
R: [Wow, thirsty much? XD]
L: [Not now, Rav.]
R: [IT TOTALLY IS! That's why you're denying it]
R: [Give it up man, she's an heiress and you're gonna be up to your neck in programing codes]
L: [Rav, I can hurt you, and no backup connections can help]
D: [What r u guys typing about?]
R: [This was suppose to be private...whoops! Reflex I guess?] (Followed by a sweatdrop emote)
L: [Ravio. I'm warning you.]
R: [I'm kind of friends with Hilda, dude, I could hook you two up~]
D: [uh, bros?]
R: [Yeah?]
D: [what was the hand movements Link did when she passed by?]
R: [...That is a GOOD question Darunia]
R: [Link, what'd she do and why was it directed at you?]
L: [Just saying hi in our own way]
R: [So it's some weird gang sign or something? ARE YOU 2 IN A GANG? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? I THOUGHT WE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL!] (Followed by an overdramatic sigh emote)
L: [You have room to talk, mr. contraband.]
R: [Shush, how else am I gonna get us those foreign candies we like to eat during lunches?]
L: [Oh, how about LEGALLY?!]
D: [You're not grunting bro, so we can't consider that a possibility]
R: [Yeah, what Darunia said!]
R: [...Wait what?]
D: [Link always grunts at least when he's frustrated about something.]
R: [Oh yeah… huh, you're right. He does! So why not now?]
L: [...can't say.]
R: [Oh come on! It's not like you'll explain over lunch or something, at least here it's private!] (Followed by an annoyed emoticon)
"Mr. Jäger-Hayashi," came the shrill voice of a short elderly woman in the front, Miss Koume the chemistry teacher. "Please read the combustible compounds of our atmosphere."
Zelda bit back an exclamation of objection on hearing Miss Koume ask that of Link, who she has known to be mute thanks to his habit of being silent around her ever since they were kids. He couldn't read off equations, he could only sign them! Instead she thought for a moment then raised her hand.
"Yes, what is it, Miss Callaghan?" Miss Koume raised a brow in annoyance.
"Link is mute, so why are you asking him such?" She asked in all sincerity.
This caused the classroom to erupt with laughter (except Darunia and Ravio, who were in 'silent and very worried friends' mode, and Cia for some unknown reason) and for Link to slowly slide down his seat while wishing the ground would consume him and let him become a fossil. At least until Koume got everyone's attention with a loud "QUIET!"
"I assure you, Miss Callaghan, Link is sometimes anything but mute. Especially when Ravio and Darunia are his partners for anything." Retorted the teacher, glaring at the heiress and he who wished to be in space so nobody could hear him scream. "Mr. Jäger-Hayashi, the compounds please!"
Link sat up as quickly as he could and, after a hard gulp and trying to imagine Zelda NOT sitting some desks behind him, found he couldn't. He just couldn't. He opened his mouth and tried to form the words he needed but nothing came out. At all. Not even a whimper of defeat.
"Miss Koume, is it okay if I take Link to the nurse's?" Ravio asked quickly, already out of his seat, dragging Link along before he could even get an answer, "Okay thanks bye!" He stated with haste before shutting the door behind him. "Okay, now do you wanna explain what's going on?" He asked with a serious tone as he continued to forcibly take his friend to the nurse's office.
"I can't help it!" Link gasped, relieved to hear his own voice. "Whenever I'm around her, my voice won't come out. Eventually, she learned sign language because she thought I was mute," he groaned.
"That's oddly sweet," Ravio stopped a few feet from the office, "but you need to work on actually talking to her. Now you're both laughingstocks in chem class. Go in there and chill, I'll come back with class notes at lunch. Got it?"
Link nodded and stepped into the nurse's office. Entering, he saw a willowy woman with pale skin and green hair that was pulled back into a simple braided ponytail, her bright hazel green eyes looking at him with concern, "What's wrong?" Her voice could soothe a raging beast, helped that it seemed to be in tune with the soft background music she was playing.
Link had to remember to use words since he was a bit blindsided by her, "Uh, I felt kinda sick so can I stay here a while?"
"Of course you can. My door is always open to those in need. Simple call for Nurse Raine if you need anything."
"Thank you, ma'am!" Link hurried to one of the beds and laid down on it with a soft groan. 'The past 48 hours haven't been kind.'
After several minutes of silence (minus the atmosphere music) between the nurse and the put-upon student, she said she had to tend to something elsewhere and left him be for the time being.
Link sighed until heard a low growling. Opening up his jacket, Bleddyn floated above his face with a look none too pleased.
'What is it NOW?' Link thought, holding his annoyance back to speak, "What's up?"
"Take a guess." Bleddyn deadpanned.
"Pumpkin something?"
"Pumpkin anything at this point."
"Bleddyn, we're in school, I can't just walk out and buy you some. I'd get in trouble with the staff here, my parents back home and goddesses know who else!" Link huffed softly.
"You'll get in real trouble if that Gufuu shows up. And I do not want Athena going at it alone!"
Link pursed his lips together and stared at the Kwami of Courage in calculating thought. 'On that note he's right, since the Gufuu ended up getting away from us it'll probably show up again here soon. On the other hand, I can't just up and walk out of here to buy something for him, I only have my lunch money and Nayru knows where I can find some place that has pumpkin things for sale near school grounds!'
At that moment, a small burlap pouch slipped underneath the curtain to the adjacent bed. As it landed, there was a rattling coming from inside.
"What. In. Hyrule." Link's voice took on its own deadpan tone as he gathered up the sudden gift and took a peek inside.
It was pumpkin seeds. Bleddyn caught a whiff and looked in as well, and his gasp was apparent. "PUMPKIN! SWEET SAVORY PUMPKIN! Come to Bleddy, baby!"
"What the -" Link muttered as he watched Bleddyn dive in the bag and consume the seeds with reckless abandon, shells flying everywhere due to how messy an eater he was. "Um, thanks?" He stated to whomever was behind the curtain.
Medli sighed as she walked around the debris from the day before, her memories playing back of what happened. She talked with Professor Jäger, and while it helped, she still felt guilty about the whole ordeal.
"Hey! Medli!" She heard someone call out to her.
She snapped out of her memories on hearing the voice, "Komali!" She ran forward and met him in a hug, thought there was a tad bit of tripping due to a loose particle of debris.
Komali caught her before she ended up stumbling further, his crimson eyes looking at her in a gentle and thoughtful way, "What are you doing out here, my dear?"
"Oh, I was just… thinking…" she wasn't completely lying, she was thinking about what had happened. She sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder, blowing some of his white locks out of his face with no avail.
Komali sniggered slightly before moving the hair which bothered her so, "Come on Medli, I know that tone… and face… and what you do when you're upset." He leaned in and kissed her cheek while rubbing a small circle in her upper back.
She sighed softly and looked at him straight in the face, "I still feel terrible over what happened. Doesn't help that the videos spread like wildfire online either… I'm being reminded of it every other hour, I swear!"
He let out a hum of thought and touched his tanned forehead to her fair skinned one, "That wasn't you, though. It was a malevolent energy that took advantage of you. I know you, my melodic Medli, and you wouldn't harm a fly even if it was buzzing and annoying you to no end."
Medli's own red eyes softened at his gaze and stared at him in silence for about a minute before speaking again, "Thank you…"
"For what?" He asked, highly confused.
"For believing in me and standing by me despite what happened." She added softly.
"No force in Hyrule could ever change my mind. The moon could come crashing down for all I care and I'd still stand by you!"
Medli giggled a bit and gave him a soft, sweet kiss, which he gladly returned.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the lovebirds."
Komali and Medli looked and saw a group of students lead by a short man with blue hair.
"Lay off, Cawlin." Komali glared at him while holding Medli close to him.
"Or what, you're gonna sick your girlfriend on me?" Cawlin sneered at the two of them as he waited for a response.
Medli felt the sensation to cry start to swell up, but she wasn't going to give Cawlin the satisfaction on seeing her break down. "And if he does?" She retorted sharply.
"Then I guess the school will be shut down, AND kick the two of you out on the streets, ya pigeons!"
Both sets of ruby red eyes glared at him, though Komali's was much harder in comparison to his beloved's.
"Cawlin, I'm warning you -" Komali started before Medli screamed. She was pointing in the air, and they saw the floating eye. Its crimson gaze beat down and unnerved them. Cawlin let out a small, high-pitched squeal of terror and ran away flailing a little.
"Medli, run!" Komali shouted as he grabbed her hand and dashed out of the campus, the Gufuu following after them with intent. He looked back to see it starting to dive at her, so in an effort to keep her safe he effectively pulled her forward then pushed her ahead of him. It kept her safe, but now… he ended up with a Gufuu to the back.
"Komali!" Medli shrieked, as her boyfriend strained and collapsed.
Komali could barely breathe as whatever it was has entered him. Then a voice echoed in his mind.
"Hm, not what I intended, but... oh, you'll do just nicely. I am Boarova, boy. You feel weak because you can't properly protect your princess, but I can make you into something that can. All you need to do get me something in return."
"...do it." Komali uttered, before forcing his head to look at Medli's tearful eyes. 'I'm sorry…'
"Splendid. Now go, Argorok King, and bring me the Miraculous!"
Medli could only watch as her beloved was covered in black scales and started to grow, her screams were only drowned out by the echoing roar.
Lunchtime. A time where students can talk loudly (if not caught) and also stuff their faces at the same time. It can also be a good way to hear gossip from other classes. Unless you're Zelda, in which case you've taken to hiding away in the most deserted area to avoid seeing anyone after that incident in chemistry class. Hilda and Agitha were with her, though it was more a precautionary thing than anything. Hilda was good at keeping people away with just a glare, which is what Zelda really needed right now. Agitha's excited talk about what bugs she had seen recently were also of some amusement as well, if not worrying, like the comment about ants and rice. She hadn't seen Link since Ravio suddenly spirited him away to the nurse's office. 'Goddesses, what else can happen today?' She thought with a sigh.
That was one of those things one should never ask, even in one's head, as Zelda would soon come to realize.
A hand slammed on the table, startling the three out of their slump. "Hello buggy, creepy, and Zellie." That tone indicated blatant hostility to Zelda and she had to remind herself to keep steady when it came to handling Cia.
"Hello, Cia." Zelda straightened her posture out and folded her hands in her lap, "What brings you here?"
"I'm not sure how many hoops you had to jump through to get here, but let me tell you a few things: Number one, this is my school, I run things. Not you. Number two, I'm not sure what you did to Link, but he is mine, and it's only a matter of time before he's screaming my name."
"I made no point in trying to take your spot, nor is Link an item you possess. I am not your enemy, Cia, I only wish to experience what public school is like." Zelda retorted with an even tone, but boy was her gaze icy. Even Hilda was shrinking back a bit with Agitha.
Cia was not so fazed.
"Ohhhohohoho!" She laughed harshly, gaining attention from the rest of the cafeteria, including the 3 bros Link, Ravio, and Darunia. "Well aren't you just a little princess."
Zelda's lips frowned in a mild scowl, 'At least I don't laugh like some snobby royal. Did she train herself to laugh like that? Goddesses, this woman!' She thought, but kept that comment to herself. "Cia, I only wish to live a normal highschool life like any other girl. I want to be treated the same as our other classmates. No special circumstances, no perks, I just want something resembling a peaceful time here." 'Stay calm, stay calm, don't let her get to you…'
"No special circumstances? Says the girl with the worthless guardian."
"You take that back!" That got Zelda to her feet with a rather resounding yell.
That got the entire cafeteria to go eerily quiet… Zelda glared furiously at Cia, who held a smug grin.
Link was distracted from taking his notes at their argument, choking on his sandwich, which Darunia quickly worked on fixing with a few strong slaps on the back. The chill in the air was only halted by a strange rattling of glass that continued to get louder until all the windows broke, instantly causing chaos among the student body! Strange human-sized, lizard like creatures with weapons were screeching about as the students screamed, their bodies lifted with the flapping of wings and an inhuman cackling or two.
'The Gufuu!?' Link and Zelda thought as they tried to find places to assume their heroic personas despite the maelstrom of fright.
The rest of the student body was in terror as the creatures grabbed and carried them out kicking and screaming. The screaming was heightened as an even larger creature soared just above the large skylight.
"That… was not a bird." Link muttered as he tried to get Ravio and Darunia away, only for the aerial lizard-like foes to grab them. "Guys!"
"Get out of here, brother!" Darunia yelled, trying to force himself out of the creature's grasp.
"We'll think of something, you just get to safety!" Ravio shouted, before biting the creature's arm (regretting it soon after due to the taste) and pounding on it as hard and fast as he could.
Link froze for but a moment before following his friends' advice. 'Don't worry guys, I'll get us out of this.'
Zelda had witnessed the same happen to Agitha and Hilda, though she too almost became a victim until she managed to headbutt her would-be captor. She also made a note never to do that again.
'Maybe the bathroom?' The teen heroes thought in near sync as they ran there to transform. As luck would have it, they ended up going to bathrooms on opposite sides of each other.
Zelda opened her bag and looked at Brawynn with worry, "Is that the same one or a different one?"
"Chances are it is the one from the day before. It may remember us, stay on your guard."
"Got it. Brawynn, spread your wings!"
Link was able to get outside of the school to see the chaos outside. The streets were crawling with the winged lizards and people were panicking. He could see the giant creature flying towards the park. 'Okay, strong possibility that's where their base of operations is…' he shook his hood to wake up the Kwami within. "Hey pumpkin coma, we're on!"
There was the sound of Bleddyn making a snorting noise on waking up, "Is it the Gufuu?" He asked while floating out and staring around lazily before he noticed the flying lizard people. "Well that's a yes."
Link took a look around and figured to take cover behind a nearby tree before transforming, "Bleddyn, time to howl!" This time he noticed that the gems on his bracelet went from a peridot-like hue to a deep emerald color when powered up. As he finished, he felt a rumbling in his chest and let it out, a distinctive howl echoing in the the square. 'What in Hyrule was THAT about!?' He covered his mouth and really hoped that it somehow went unnoticed. As he worked on pretending that didn't happen, Sheikhan Wolf started running to the park in order to figure out what in the world was going on with the Gufuu this time. He felt something smacking him at the waist and saw an exact copy of the clawshot from yesterday… 'Huh, guess Bleddyn was right.' He stopped and aimed at a rooftop, and soon he was flying from ledge to ledge by the claw.
He was able to dodge the patrols of those things, and made it to the edge of Korok Park, a rather large forest area considered a national prospect due to the ruins located within that histories have figured out to be connected with ancient Hyrule. Said ruins made for good hiding places when the patrollers came around.
"Okay, just gotta figure out what the heck to do while waiting for Athena… oh boy..."
"You rang?" A certain voice whispered as the gentle flapping of wings followed.
Sheikhan turned to look at her with great confusion as she landed, "How did you… it was the howl, wasn't it?"
Athena didn't say anything, but the forced neutral face and little spark of wanting to laugh in her eyes said it all. She ducked beside him and peeked over the ruins when she didn't hear anything nearby, "What have you gathered so far?"
"Not much, sadly. These flying geckos seem to be taking every civilian, then the Gufuu went by in a new form. It came to the park, and then you showed up."
Athena hummed in thought, "Chances are the most heavily-guarded area is where the Gufuu is… which means we have to go in further."
"Up to the ruins?"
"Worth a shot." She nodded, "You go left and I go right?"
Sheikhan hefted the clawshot, then looked at the trees. "First one there?"
Athena gave her wings a small flap, "Come now, this isn't a competition... but yes. Let's also remember to see what this Gufuu needs with humans so badly."
"Right." He launched the claw into the treeline and slipped away.
Athena used her wings to glide around to avoid making much noise, along with hiding up in the trees as well. As it turns out these beings don't really look up much, which gave her (and by proxy Link) the advantage.
The Hyrule Ruins, where once stood a mighty castle of monarchy was now a crumbled away structure that had very little semblance of its former glory. The largest fragments of its history were worn walls that sometimes bore writings; if someone managed to find something hidden within the earth it once stood in, it was considered quite the find. Historics have been in and out of the area for decades trying to piece together what the castle once looked like and how it (and the ruling family) fell. For now, it was the secluded domain of an enormous dragon, its red, scaly body covered in black plate armor, his winged minions and those they have gathered from Hyrule's districts.
As it was curled up in a circular area of the ruins, he looked over the crowd of people that was brought to him. His dark eyes scanned over the group when he noticed that the majority of them were high school students fearful and in panic, he let out a low rumble in annoyance, then felt the presence of his master within his mind.
"Appearance are uncanny, Argorok King. Youths are needed by their superiors, do not let it concern you, be concerned for your… 'princess'."
The Argorok looked to his side, and saw the limp form of Medli, unconscious from the flight to the ruins. A low growl came from his throat as he nuzzled her with his head.
'No one will hurt you again. I promise.'
Athena touched down outside the worn gate, bearing in mind to keep herself as hidden as possible so that the very large dragon-like creature didn't make a possible meal out of her. 'Where's Sheikhan?' She thought while looking at the trees. She double-checked to make sure his form wasn't among the captured, 'Seems he hasn't been caught, thank Nayru… but I'm still worried.' She sighed quietly and forced her mind elsewhere, 'Chances are this… dragon? Is it a dragon? I don't see 4 legs. Regardless, it's gathering up humans for one of a few possible reasons. Feeding, slavery or possibly mining. The purpose could very well also be a combination of the three… we're nowhere near a mine, as far as I know, so it couldn't be that. At this rate feeding seems more likely.'
The rattling of chains was heard from behind her and she heard the her partner touch down. "Your wings gave you advantage."
Athena made no comment about her victory and motioned him to be quiet with the classic finger on lips sign. She then turned her attention back to the gathering place of Argorok to see if that arrow thing from the day before could give her any hint as to what has to be done in order to take him down. 'Come on, strange arrow thing… what do we have to do?' Asking her magical vision quirk to work when wanted was not helping.
"What have we got, Athy?" Sheikhan asked, breaking her concentration.
Athena looked at him curiously due to the nickname before whispering back, "Nothing yet. Perhaps you will have better luck?"
Sheikhan slipped his gaze through a missing stone in the wall, seeing the civilians being grouped together by the smaller creatures before the… 'that's a dragon… oh that's not good.' His eyes went wide at seeing Darunia and Ravio in the mix. 'Oh no!'
"What is it?" Athena whispered on noticing his face changing moods.
"Shh!" He rasped as he saw the dragon loom its head over the crowd. It started speaking in a guttural language that he could barely make out from the distance. Whatever it was made the creatures back off and the dragon raise its head, maw open. 'No… please Din no!' His plea was not heard as the dragon unleashed a black tongued stream of fire that engulfed the civilians. "NOO-mmmfh!" His mouth was covered by Athena's hand, and she too saw the ghastly scene.
Athena's body trembled a bit as she found herself watching this. She didn't want to. She wanted to cry right there and then, over those who had fallen, over being too late, over failing Hyrule… Brawynn… She lowered her head to hide the tears that were more than threatening to spill out. 'I'm so sorry, Brawynn… Hilda… Agitha… everyone…'
Sheikhan could not look away, anger bubbling in his ribs to end this madness once and for all.
The fires died down and now revealed the fate, no burned corpses, but instead a new legion of those creatures.
"Goddesses..." He whispered, bringing Athena's attention back to the scene. She held her breath at the realization.
"He's making an army." She said. She saw Sheikhan head for the gates, sword drawn and fist clenched. "Sheik!" She whispered, trying to get his attention. "What are you doing! Get back here! Sheik!" Given how he was ignoring her pleas, she found herself going after him to make sure he didn't actually die this time. She wasn't going to let yesterday repeat itself!
Sheikhan slammed the gate open, drawing the attention of the horde. The dragon's body shifted slightly, but it remained steadfast.
"Hi! Dovah! Fos suleyk rahlo zeim hi tol lorot hi pruz wey jul ahrk imaar niin ol vostahdim ulfah fah braag!? Daar gral fen ni kos tholah fah naan lingrahiik! Vensekos wo hi los ful tol Zu'u mindok faan do wo Zu'u fen oblaan daar sul!" (1)
Athena stared at her companion, mouth slightly opened. 'What. In. Hyrule. Was that even Hyrulian? At all?'
The dragon spread its wings and snarled, the creatures in between flapped their own wings in desire to fight. But another snarl from the dragon halted them. The Argorok stood, winged flexed with the clattering of his armor, then stared down at the heroes before him with a guttural noise emanating from its maw.
"Rek wo kodaav faan do Ekrah ahrk ek Grohiik lost bo. Dii In tolaan wah ofaal hin suleyk, wel hin lahney los wah kos vokrent los do nid volzahdroz wah zey. Ont Zu'u lost jakah dii wund, dii suleyk fen hiiv pah kahtu do himdah wah jaaril gein closest wah dii hil. NID FUS VIS VUTH ZEY, FAAL ARGOROK JUN! OFAN VOK HIN MIRACULOUS WAH ZEY!" (2)
"He talked!? And what did he say? What did either of you say!? Goddesses, speak Hyrulian!" Athena groaned rather loudly.
Sheikhan once again didn't hear her. "Your desires will remain unfulfilled, beast."
'About time someone spoke a language that's understandable.' Athena thought with a huff.
The Argorok King sneered. "Hin Ekrah fon honvu wah prudaav vun, Grohiik." it stomped on the ground and roared. "Aazrii tol hin onikaan los ful zah. Aerafols, Iidah!" (3)
The now-named Aerafols converged on the two, Sheikhan's sword at the ready until a pair of arms got around his waist and started flying him up into the sky.
"You've lost it! Completely lost it!" Athena chided, "We had the advantage of surprise and you blew it to pieces, Sheik!"
"This goes beyond stealth right now, Athena!"
"And what makes you say that?" Her tone was eerily cold on asking.
"This… monster… doesn't care who he has to use, and doesn't care who gets hurt! He's using friends and family as fodder!" Sheikhan snarled.
"As is he! As will we if we fall in battle!" Athena berated, while dodging the Aerafols. "You think my stomach didn't drop when I saw that? You think I didn't want to curl up in a ball somewhere and cry until I couldn't anymore!? We have to be tactful in these fight, Sheik, or we'll not only lose our powers but everyone we ever cared about in the process!"
"...He also called you stupid."
"...I'll hit him for that, but only after you've cool down!" She put her wounded ego on the bench for the time being until her partner's had eased.
Sheikhan grumbled while kicking at one of the flying lizards.
"You know, we do have to fight these guys… and they say hitting things can be a great stress reliever." Athena stated in a more calming tone than she had previously.
"Yeah, but here's the real question, Athy:" Sheikhan grasped the clawshot and hit one of the lizards a ways off. "Can you throw a punch?" He let the question hang as the chain pulled him out of her arms and he kicked the targeted Aerafols.
"Oh trust me, there's been plenty of things in my life that have deserved a punch." Athena free-fell a bit before tackling another Aerafols, the force of such causing the winged lizard person to go falling quite a ways down. "That felt pretty good!" 'It's wrong of me to hope that specific one was Cia… but I'll dwell on the guilt when I'm not in the middle of a battle.'
Sheikhan leaped off of another Aerafols as he tried to stop his descent. The clawshot was really useful, but he didn't want to use his sword, just in case… 'wait, maybe I can pull an item that can help me!' He dodged another strike as he felt for the pouch the size of a fanny pack. "Here goes nothing: Item charge!" Sticking his hand in the pouch, he felt something in his hand and pulled it out revealing… another clawshot? 'Bleddyn?! What the - why another one?!' He screamed in his head, before another Aerafols grabbed him from behind in a very strong grip. 'Either that's Darunia, or Cia's gotten too friendly.' He took aim with both clawshots and struck their targets, pulling them towards him, and then pulling out of the grip in time so all three crashed into each other. "Ha!"
The Argorok King snarled at the scene. He could feel his master's presence building.
"You are stalling, boy. I can just as easily pluck your power and return it to your princess."
"Nid…Nid! Zu'u fen ni verut ek tahriik!" (4)
"How sentimental… but you will play your part or else!"
The dragon writhed as he felt his body being torn apart from the inside, as though his very soul was being torn to shreds by some unholy beast's claws and teeth. With a bellow of agony and some fire escaping into the sky above, the Gufuu'ed being yielded to Boarova's demand and rose from his 'throne' to deal with the heroes himself.
"Sheikhan, dragon at 12 o'clock, and closing in quickly!" Athena yelled as she kicked an Aerafols away.
Sheikhan Wolf looked ahead and saw the Argorok come at him, the sudden instance threw him off the Aerafols as he fell to the ground. He shouted in panic, and activated the clawshot by reflex, the chain launching and grasping on the brass club-like tail of the dragon.
"AHHHHHH!"
"Gaar dii slov, reimokur!" (5)
"Hang on!" Taking a deep breath Athena flew after the dragon and wolf-themed teen, doing various aerial dodging stunts to avoid more oncoming enemies, then grabbed Sheikhan Wolf by his waist. "Release the clawshot's head, we're moving this fight to the ground!" That's when she noticed that there was something with a reflective surface on the ground, "Along with investigate what's down there." She added with a semi-coherent mumbling.
Sheikhan, with a miffed grumble, released his clawshot's hold from the Argorok King's tail and also acted as a second pair of eyes to alert Athena when to dodge any enemies coming at them from behind. He inhaled sharply on seeing their main problem flying after them with a snapping jaw, "Athena, step on it!"
"I'm trying!" She started to fly in zig-zags to avoid becoming lunch during the descent. Then she had an idea. It was probably going to be not the best of them, but with a dragon nearly nipping at her heels and having a partner in her arms she wasn't sure what else she could do. "Sheikhan, I'm apologizing in advance for this action. Forgive me when possible."
"I'm going to not like this, am I?"
"Depends on how you feel about free-falling."
"I'm not going to like this one bit."
"Hence apologizing in advance."
"Look out!" He had his clawshot hit Argorok on the nose to keep him at bay at least for a while.
"You ready to fall?"
"I have to be at this point!"
Athena let her grip fail as she flew out of Argorok's maw, and Sheikhan was falling to the broken stone below.
'Okay Bleddyn, really hoping that wind control thing also means avoiding my death with it!' He figured the most logical thing to do first was to hold his hands out in front of him and hope that wind would follow. 'Come on, you mutt, wind powers… Oh what the heck, Wind: AWAKEN!'
On this command the winds surrounding him started to pick up and swirl around his arms, the force being up at the heel of his palms as he kept them pointed at the earth that was steadily approaching. 'Control it, control it!' He gritted his teeth while trying to increase the wind's power enough to keep himself from getting hurt but also not sending him flying away in the process. As the ground was started to get closer and closer he let out a war cry (mostly out of panic) as he thrusted his hands out. The winds massed into a ball-like shape just before he hit the ground, suspending him there before he straightened his body out and flicked his wrists to cease the control. There was some minor-but-temporary pain from the landing but all in all he was intact. "Ow… okay, needs practice. Got it."
That was when he noticed a familiar figure asleep some yards away. "Medli!" He ran over and tried to rouse her, "Medli wake up! The Gufuu, it might get you while you're like this!" 'Actually, why hasn't it gotten you while you're like this?' Above he heard the roar of Argorok and Athena's own battle cries as she dueled with it. He tried to catch a glimpse through the trees, "Come on Athy… you can do it. You'd be able to fly circles around him since you have more mobility."
Athena has learned a few things in this day while fighting this new Gufuu. She can indeed launch arrows without the powering up sequence, they were golden colored and did some damage on their own despite no purification qualities. She also learned that it's very hard to shoot her bow when her wings are what keep her afloat. She's had to switch between shooting and free-falling then flying over and over again. She really needed to bring this guy on the ground so she could face him properly. But how to taunt a dragon? She noticed the Argorok King's head leered towards the ground, and after dodging more of the flying lizards, she saw Sheikhan kneeling beside… Medli?
'What's she doing here?! Was she just kidnapped? Sheik, get her out of there!' Athena then had to dodge another snap of his jaw and ended up running alongside his armored back. That's when her arrow vision pointed to the weak spot on his back, the same gold-enameled red eye that was on the Helmaroc Queen the day before. "That's it!" She gasped as she started flying again. 'Now I just need to force this guy to land and, with Wolfie's help, we can finally purify this thing!'
At the moment, the Argorok King's head turned to the ground, and its voiced thundered in alarm. "Medli! Fey Hond Nol Ek, Tingrol!" (6)
"Oh Din. Better move!" Sheikhan quickly picked up the slumbering woman and started running for cover. This only caused Arogok to start going after him. "OH GODDESSES!"
"Hang on, I'm coming!" Athena put her hands in front of her like she was diving in water and flapped her wings as hard as she could. Her flying past the large dragon made him pause in confusion for a short while before picking up his chase. Once on the ground, Athena took out her bow and shot at the armored Gufuu to cover her partner and the sleeping one in his arms.
"Shoot shoot shoot shoot!" Sheikhan stammers as he ran through the debris carrying Medli on his back and the dragon made its way back around. "Cut a bit close, huh, Athy?"
"Hush you! You're the one going after the damsel."
"Only when I know you can handle it. Any ideas?"
Athena worked her face a moment before looking at her partner's belt, a sly smile went across her features.
"Uh… my goddess? What are you doing… oh hey what?!" He jumped back a bit out of her reach as her fingers slipped closer.
"Oh hush, Wolfie, just let me -"
"Whoa whoa whoa-!"
"Oh don't be such a baby, hold still... aaand there!" Athena grinned, hefting the clawshots in her hands.
Feeling partially violated and rather annoyed, Sheikhan glared at her a little, "So what's your plan now that you've taken my equipment, my goddess?"
"Recreating the events of yesterday," Athena stated rather quickly before flying off, "thanks for the inspiration!"
'She is not…' Sheikhan quickly ducked behind a large tree trunk, set Medli on the ground and watched from their hiding spot. 'No, no, no, no…' His eyes widened on seeing her manage to grab the metal on Argorok's tail and start dragging him down. "ATHENA, DON'T!"
Athena landed with a small grunt as she hit the ground, her shoe talons coming out to give her a more solid stance as she pulled the foe down from the sky. She heard Sheikhan's plea but ignored it. "Almost…!" She muttered as the monster's dark figure loomed closer to her own. With one final tug straight down so came Argorok's tail and body with it, her talons receding to let her jump back.
Dust and dirt were kicked up, blocking Sheikhan's vision of what happened. His heart began to sink into his stomach as he heard metal clattering. "Athena!" He ran over to the crash site, stumbling here and there, using a quick wrist flick to clear the air. "Athena!?"
"Over here!"
He was quick to pick up on where her voice came from and ran over, "You're alive!" He smiled for a split second before he scowled at her, "Don't you dare do that again, I thought you died trying to do that!"
Athena said nothing at first, she only lowered her head a little, "I will endeavor not to pull a stunt like such again."
Sheikhan Wolf stared at her a moment before realizing that he had made her go through the same experience not even a full day before, "Hey… I-I'm not…" his voice was soft as he reached out and gently lifted her chin, "Okay, yeah I freaked out but I thought… I thought I had lost you. You… did something very risky. It wasn't smart of you to do that… like how it wasn't when I did it yesterday. I'm sorry, Athy, for putting you through that terror and flipping out on you like that when you showed more tolerance."
Her only response was hugging him, which was an impulsive move and it left her blushing on realizing what she had done. Boy, was she glad for that mask as she pulled back and cleared her throat, trying to regain her more business-like air.
He only smiled with a soft chuckle, "I forgive you. Twice."
"Thank you," she replied softly with a faint smile.
Sadly their tender moment was interrupted by the aerial reptile force suddenly landing to the ground with shrieks of pain, their forms turning into the fire that transmogrified them until their real forms were left standing for all of 5 seconds before collapsing to the ground. Their leader wasn't looking too hot either, what with the exposed scales and all.
"Looks like everyone turned out okay…" Athena muttered, looking around to spot her friends.
"For the most part…" Sheikhan replied, and then noticed Medli coming to. He pardoned himself from Athena, walked over swiftly and helped her up by acting as a crutch for her. "Good to see you again, miss."
Medli held her head, her eyes blinking into focus before looking at Sheikhan. "You're… that guy from before…!" Her eyes went wide at a realization. "Oh no! Komali!" She forced herself up and tried to walk to the dragon, but was held back.
"Easy now, we got the drake."
"No! You don't understand! That's Komali!"
Sheikhan's eyes went wider than hers. "Wait, that's your boyfriend!?"
Medli nodded a bit, eyes downcast, "He was trying to defend me while this guy was bugging us, then when we were running away that's when he got possessed."
"Geez, who in Hyrule makes those things?" Sheikhan muttered. At that moment, the armor pieces melted into dark violet smoke. The civilians that were there started to panic as the smoke condensed into a black ball, and then took on a more human, albeit just as menacing form. It was twice as tall as the heroes, and the smoke formed some semblance to armor. As the three-pronged staff formed in its hand, two glowing red eyes appeared on its face.
"That would be me." It said, its voice echoing and snarling. "I am Boarova."
"Boarova?" Our heroes asked.
The shade's visage smirked. "Athena, Sheikhan Wolf. Your appearance and persistence has been a troublesome thorn in my side. You have one chance to surrender the Miraculous Stones to me. My mercy is not to be trifled with."
Athena felt her back tense up due to her wings reacting to Boarova's presence. 'No way will I let him use Brawynn, I can sense the evil of his heart right in my very bones!' She thought with gritted teeth. Straightening out her shoulders and letting out a deep breath, she walked forward a few steps before she was a few yards away from the shadowy projection.
"I make no deals with devils, especially ones who send others to do his work," she hissed while her sapphire eyes took on a chilling edge, "someone like you is never to be trusted with power! I will fight until my dying breath to protect my home!" As she spoke she summoned her bow and launched a basic arrow at it, "Begone and know Athena shall not bow to you!"
Boarova cackled at the girl as the arrow went through the shade with no damage done. "Your conviction means nothing! Wisdom shall be diffused by ignorance, and Courage will be squandered amongst the helpless!" He thrust the trident above his head, red lightning collecting into a ball. "The only thing that is understood is Power! Here! Let me show you!" The lightning ball formed into a spear.
'Wait, that's not a spear -' Sheikhan thought and then panicked at the realization, 'it's a -'
"Dark Arrow!" The villain roared as it shot through the air with the sound of electric cackles following in its wake.
Athena dodged to the side as the arrow flew past, but the scent of burning air and the light sound of thunder made her notice that the arrow could move at will. 'Dang it! This is turning out a mess!'
Sheikhan was doing no better as the bolting arrow jumped around the area, the people present trying to run in panic, only to be halted at the cause of singeing. Throughout this, the shade laughed at their fear-ridden faces, and that just made him angry. Setting Medli down low, he grabbed his sword and charged at Boarova. With a raging howl, the wolf knight struck his sword down, only to pass through the shadow mist.
"Courage…" sneered Boarova, "Always granted to the greatest of fools." His body dissipated, but with one final hand movement, the arrow flew past Sheikhan -
And headed straight at the distraught college girl.
Argorok, having been watching the scene while effectively licking his wounds, saw where the arrow was heading and bounded across the ground as quickly as his wing-arms could carry him. "ZU'U FEN NI VOS DII LOKAAL DIR!" (7) He screamed as he twisted his form to shield Medli with his body… his weak point soon hit by the dark energies of the projectile. His body convulsed and fell with a loud thump, soon growing still with breath barely going in and out of his maw.
Nobody dared to breath. Athena covered her mouth in shock with both hands as Sheikhan stated at his still form. Despite the transformation and enslavement, in the end… it was still her he cared about.
"KOMALI!" Medli screamed as she processed what had happened. She practically threw herself onto Argorok's neck and sobbed, "Komali, please don't go! Komali! Nayru's Love, don't leave me, I love you too much to let you go!"
That's when the one thing nobody expected happened. His body started to glow and change, his wing-arms starting to become human shaped, as was the rest of his body, as Argorok's form was once that of Komali, now looking as though he was merely asleep instead of taking quite the bullet for his love.
"Komali?" Meldi whispered hesitantly while she gently touched his cheek, gasping a bit as he groaned and started to stir.
"Medli?" He choked out, sitting up while rubbing his lower back. He screamed a bit as the Gufuu left his being, but he was feeling worlds better after that little scene happened.
"Komali!" And then Medli glomped him with tears streaming down her face.
Silence echoed through the ruins, tears fell from many present, but all was stifled as the dark cackling returned. All eyes returned to the mist reforming into the appearance of the monster.
"This is far from over, brats!" Boarova hefted the trident and Komali's body surged in pain. He writhed in Medli's grip and broke away, afraid to harm her again, he looked at his arms, his skin was becoming scales again, and his mind began to cloud once more.
"Stop it! Please!" Medli shouted at Boarova, who only laughed as his form dissipated again, only to fly straight into Komali's back. The eye returned again.
Komali's screams became a roar, but his body had only changed in skin. The splotchy red scales coated his body, his hands were now razor talons. His eyes… were now the same as Boarova's shade.
"Komali… no…" Medli begged, seeing the form again, even as a human was taking a toll on her.
The human Argorok looked at her, and a fang-filled smile greeted her. "Komali's not here right now, girl." Boarova's deep voice rumbled through his mouth. "But he'll at least see his dreams shatter!" He thrust forward, hand around Medli's neck.
The girl couldn't breathe, her mind was distraught and her heart felt like it was breaking.
"This is your foolish sentiment, and your incompetence at failu-!"
"I absolve the darkness in your heart!" His speech was interrupted by a certain winged warrior and her very powerful Light Arrow spell in his back. She scolded herself very badly mentally for taking that long due to the shock of all that had happened with Komali, but she hoped that this act would make up for her extreme delay. "Sheikhan Wolf, prepare to collect what evil will be released!"
"Already on it!" He said, pointing a clawshot at the reforming Gufuu. As soon as the eyeball reformed and scowled, he shot the claw at it and pulled it in. The Gufuu tried to break free, but the wolf knight stabbed it with his other clawshot, the item beginning to crack with the energy inside. He quickly pulled it off and threw it in the air. "Athena, now!"
"Right!" She formed another arrow and took aim. As it started to shake, she called out "MIRACULOUS RESTORATION!" She fired and as the arrow struck the clawshot, the dark energy bleached into a rosey hue. A small thing fluttering about. 'Is that… the Navii Brawynn talked about?'
The Navii spun around, light pink dust falling from the sky, butterfly-like wings aglow with a sense of serenity and joy.
"Beautiful…" Athena gasped softly as she walked over to the small creature and held a hand out in hopes it would perch there.
"Hard to imagine that this was something causing us trouble not even a minute ago." Sheikhan muttered as he walked over and stood by her side, gazing at the sprite that had come from the Gufuu.
Athena nodded with a hum of agreement, her eyes still on the Navii as it traveled to their eye level and started to float around Sheikhan's head. That got a giggle out of her, "Seems that this is your part then, my friend."
'Okay Bleddyn, this better not come with some weird catchphrase that'll want me to lock myself in my room for forever.' He thought as he carefully gathered the Navii in his hands. "Okay little one, go and bring forth light!" He stated as it started to fly away from him, all things under it getting covered in the dust from before. The dust changed from its light pink to a snow white as its magic came into play, resulting in all things once broken to stand as though nothing happened and for everyone involved to be healed as well. This was extremely evident with Komali due to now actually being himself now instead of that unholy possessed form. Eventually the Navii flew away from the area, as to where it went was anyone's guess.
"Komali!"
"Medli!"
The two embraced and cried in joy.
And then the people around the heroes cheered quite loudly, chanting their names (which they picked up on thanks to Boarova) and singing their praises.
Being rather used to this, Athena put on her best smile and waved to the crowd around them, Sheikhan mimicking her until they both heard beeping noises.
'Uh-oh!' the two thought in sync.
"We thank you all for your kind words and celebrations, however my partner and I must retire from the battle. We shall come when Boarvoa's dark enchantments strike once more, fare thee well!" Athena grabbed Sheikhan by his waist and flew off with him before dropping him off in a more secluded part of the park. "Farewell, Wolfie, I'll see you again soon."
"Athy, wait."
"Hmm?" She gave him a confused look before she found herself in a hug.
"That was amazing!" He exclaimed with a laugh, "You verbally tore him apart and managed to undo all that dark magic!"
"It was not just me, Wolfie. You played a big part in it as well." She couldn't help but mentally gush at him praising her though as he cheeks tinted pink.
"True…" he mumbled with a shrug, "But it was you who managed to save Komali in the end."
"Only after I froze at seeing him shot and then possessed." She looked away from him, face showing admonishment for herself.
Sheikhan pouted a bit before moving into her view again, "Anyone would have frozen up if they saw that happen, even the best of heroes get those moments. We're still new to this too, Athy. Don't beat yourself up so much over every little thing we do and don't do. It's not healthy for us or Hyrule."
Athena looked at him for a moment in silence. 'He really is being sincere… how long has it been since I've seen such a look in another?' She thought before giving him a faint but genuine smile. "Thank you." She whispered before another alerting beep went off. "I have to go now, farewell!" With several strong flaps, she was gone and was flying who knows where.
Sheikhan sighed as he watched her go until the trees blocked his view, his transformation letting go and Bleddyn floating near his head.
"You're really nice to her… keep that up." The wolf-like Kwami stated.
Link just nodded with a smile. He then remembered that his bros were kidnapped and went back to the ruins to make sure they were okay and act like he had been there too but for the same way they were.
The cavern shook as its occupant raged at his loss. Boarova seethed his fury as he removed the trident from the stone floor.
"Those brats are more cunning than I had expected." He reproved, before he smiled. "But even after millennia, the kwami of Wisdom and Courage will always pay the price from their bearers." The fires dimmed down as the skylight affixed to shadow. "And that will be their undoing soon enough…"
Athena soon landed on the grounds of Harkinian Academy in the back around the gym, transformation releasing as her feet touched the ground. "Looks like we're the only ones here?" Zelda pondered as she opened up her canvas bag a bit to let Brawynn hide. "Hello?" She called after opening the doors and looking around. 'Well, the attack happened in the cafeteria… better check there then.' After getting turned around a few times in which way the lunchroom was, she sighed in great relief to see that the broken glass and signs of chaos from before had been erased. 'The Navii came here too, thank Nayru!'
"My lady, perhaps it would be best to seek out any faculty members?" Brawynn suggested from her hiding spot.
"Good idea," she nodded but paused, "Which way was the office again?"
"I think we passed it upstairs a few times?" The Kwami of Wisdom couldn't see much from her spot, but at least she's trying.
After another misadventure in getting lost on the way to her destination, Zelda finally managed to find the faculty office. As far as those rooms are, it was rather nicely done in terms of decor (though on further inspection it was found that the plants are fake, minus one mini cactus on the secretary's desk). The coloring was also rather soothing, going with pale rose walls with little pale yellow accents here and there.
"Is anyone here?" Zelda called tentatively while taking a cautious gait around the room.
"Zelda?" That was Telma's voice!
"Auntie Telma!" She ran over to the voice and embraced her as tightly as her body could, "Are you okay? Did those flying reptiles get you? Where is everyone?"
Temla looked down at the girl and hugged her back. "I'm fine, kiddo. This is nothing."
"It isn't?" Zelda was now very perplexed by her statement, "Why's that?"
"This is high school, sweetie. If something crazy doesn't happen, we're not doing our job."
"Ah?" The young blonde's nose crinkled a bit as she thought on the statement.
"And honestly, Link, Ravio, and Darunia are still a far cry from what Link's father and uncles would do in class."
"Dare I ask about that story?" Zelda also made a mental note that those two guys she saw Link with in class were his closer friends, though as to which one was which she'd have to figure out later.
Telma only laughed lightly at her expression.
"Oh, auntie? Have you ever heard Link… talk?" Zelda's face shifted to a more solemn, "When he was called on in class, I sort of… tried to defend him by saying he was mute and it… marked us both as laughingstocks to different degrees."
Telma's matched the girl, "Oh sweetie..." She hugged the girl tighter. "Don't you worry about the public eye, thinking about it only makes you go a bit crazy."
Zelda let out a squeak at being hugged tighter, "But auntie, everyone's heard him talk but me! I-I don't understand, why…why can't he talk when I'm around? This has been going on since we were kids, but only now I find out he's been able to speak this whole time!"
Telma released the girl from her hug and sat her down before taking a seat herself. "I can't say much, but from what Nurse Raine told me, he has a condition called selective mutism."
"Selective… mutism?" Zelda asked slowly, letting the new information sink in. "C-Can you explain further, please?"
Telma folded her arms. "Sometimes people that can lead normal lives can get really anxious in situations or around certain people to the point that they can't even speak. It's a bit like stage fright."
"O-Oh…" Zelda let out a shaky breath and stared at the ground just past her feet. 'He has selective mutism. Because of me. Since we were kids. What did I do to have him so anxious that he can't speak?' She only just noticed a sly smile on the older woman's face."Hmm?"
Telma chuckled into her hand. "It's alright Zelda," she said while thinking 'I should have known you were a heartbreaker since you were young~.'
Zelda would have pressed further if the door didn't slam open, revealing a very annoyed Impa. "Eep!"
"Telma, old friend, thank you for the experience of high school for my charge. We shall be on our way before yet another disaster hits the school." Impa said as stoically as possible, but on the mention of the disaster she stated it through clenched teeth.
Zelda quickly stood, "Thank you for today, auntie. I… might see you again, possibly." The sad smile on her face said otherwise as she came to Impa's side and the two departed.
"Your father will want to discuss this with you." Impa stated softly after a moment of silence.
"I know," Zelda nodded a bit as she glanced over to her caretaker.
"Do you want me to bring dinner to your room?"
"Yes, please. I…I'd rather not socialize after talking with Father."
"Very well." Impa gave a nod and the silence resumed.
The two did not get far with the students finally returning, Link at the front running towards her. Seeing him, Zelda felt sad, but he only embraced her, his way of seeing if she was alright.
"It's okay, it's okay. I wasn't hurt." Zelda muttered to him. 'Oh Link, I'm so sorry… but at least you won't have to worry about going quiet for long.'
Impa raised a brow at the two teens hugging, but made no comment. She knew Link was a good kid, which got her to thinking…
"WHOO! You got this, Link!" Her attention was distracted by seeing a dark-haired version of - 'Oh goddesses, another set of twins?!'
Link glared at his bud, cheeks a bright red color as he gave Ravio a silent "Shut up dude."
"Best to go back to them, then?" Zelda asked him quietly.
"Get your claws off my man!" came an indignant shriek.
On hearing the shriek, and recognizing it as Cia's, Zelda let go of Link and put her hands behind her head as though she was being arrested for something. Link moved so that he stood a bit to the side of his preferred female companion.
"Rather over-dramatic, Miss Callaghan." Impa stated in a deadpan.
"She's acting like I committed a crime, therefore to play the part might be a better idea."
'It might work.' Impa thought with a small shrug.
"Worry not, Cia, I was just leaving." Zelda stated with a soft sigh. 'For good, most likely.'
Cia stormed up into Zelda's face, pressing forward into the girl's personal bubble. "And it will stay that way if you know what's good for you."
Zelda reminded herself that she always had an even temper, she didn't stress over things and always kept her head. But over the past two days she's had freedom, and deep down, it was the best thing that's ever happened to her.
But Cia? This girl just didn't get it like any of her father's business colleagues. And saying losing that freedom was good for her?
Not happening.
"Now you listen here, you bleach brained bimbo!" Zelda snarled, pushing Cia back. "I have had a hell of a day, and I just wanted to enjoy life as a normal person and make some friends. But you seem blind to your own fantasy world and I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT ANY LONGER!" She stomped towards the girl, eyes blazing with the fires of rage from within. "I will continue coming to this school. I will continue to live a life of my choosing. And You. Will. Back. Off. Or. Else!"
Cia tensed at the fury in Zelda's voice, but steeled her nerves as she faced the girl. "...Or else what, Zellie?"
Zelda leaned in until they were only a few breaths away, "I'll tell everyone about the little incident about when I threw you across my yard." She whispered with stoic menace, "Need I remind you I have the witness to such right here to confirm my tale."
Cia's eyes blanked. "You wouldn't…"
"Try me." Zelda added in a hushed hiss.
'I'm having mixed emotions about this.' Impa and Link thought while witnessing their verbal battle.
Cia stepped away, pointing at the girl. "My mother will hear about this!" She ran back into the school, Lana flailing behind.
'Have fun with that, Malfoy.' Zelda thought with a satisfied sigh and nod. She was then promptly surrounded by the class with cheers and people wanting to embrace her as thanks. "Eep!"
"One at a time, one at a time!" Impa stated over the crowd and worked on separating her charge from the mass.
"Keep her." Ravio whispered to Link as he went to give his congrats.
Link would have retorted, but the selective mutism prevented such. Instead he just texted him a basic expletive response.
While Link was busy with that, Bleddyn poked his head out to catch a look at the face who caused all the commotion. 'I'm with bunny guy. I like her scarf, I wonder if she'd be okay if I borrowed the idea.' He went back to hiding as he thought about that.
Despite the celebration-related chaos, Link and Zelda managed to exchange a look. He gave her a big smile that reflected thanks and she returned such with a nod and smile of her own.
'Maybe Gustaf should reconsider this idea of homeschooling.' Impa thought as the sea of teenagers eventually departed for their classes (or what was left of them in terms of time anyway). Looking to the main doors, she saw Telma leaning to the side with a smug look on her face. Impa smiled back, even after all this time, the two could read each other well enough to think.
"Hey, Zelda." The woman's attention was back to her charge and saw another red-haired girl. Her arms were crossed but the smirk on her face said well enough. "Nice work putting the witch in her place."
"Um… thanks…" Zelda stammered, trying to recall the girl's name.
"Nabooru. Nabooru Geildo." Nabooru held out her hand, "Hope to see you back here tomorrow."
Zelda nodded and shook her hand, "We'll see." She glanced to Impa and hoped that she would get to come back tomorrow. Impa was strong, but even she would cave to the watery puppy eyes.
Right?
"As my ward said, we'll see." Impa stated.
Zelda signed a goodbye to Link… though since she wasn't sure if she'd ever see him anytime soon she ran with the impulse to hug him. "I'm sorry for what happened in class." She whispered to him then let go and went on her not-very-merry way with Impa.
Or at least she was until she heard the sound of a chain rattling. The next thing she knew, the metal coiled around her waist and she was being pulled back into the school, courtesy of Telma… holding a clawshot.
"Wha-?!" Zelda peeped as she was released from the chains, no injuries to be had. Looking out, saw Link's shocked face as he ran inside after her, and Impa's standing still as she looked at her. She heard Telma's laughter at the scene.
"Sorry Twiggy, but as a teacher, I can't simply let a registered student waltz out of here without written consent from a parent or guardian. She'll see you after school~!" she said as the doors closed once more, slamming shut as Impa finished up the steps.
"GOD DAMN IT, TELMA!" She raged beyond the door, glaring at them through the window until they left. 'Gustaf is going to have my head on a gold platter for this.'
"Yeesh," came a voice from her uniform, opening it had the small brown spirit fly out. "all this time and she still has the upper hand on you."
Impa glared at the kwami. "What do you want, Huut? Weren't you supposed to go back to Master Rauru?"
Huut shrugged, his wings bristling slightly. "Eh, I'll be staying around here and wait for Master to come here. You know he can't stand flying." The kwami groaned in frustration. "but I just wanted to see who the brats chose for this."
Impa pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off the building headache. She knew there was no arguments with the spirits, especially Huut. She heard the distinctive rumbling in the air and saw gray clouds looming in.
"It's going to rain soon…" 'As if this day couldn't get any better…' she muttered as she got to the car parked outside. She could only wait for the time being.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet, all things considered. Zelda sat next to Nabooru, and she got along with her as well as Hilda and Agitha. Cia had more or less been avoiding her gaze as well, unless Link was involved then there was quite a glare in the new student's direction. Ravio and Darunia got to at least properly exchange named with her, some teasing on Ravio's part when Link's selective mutism came into play, but it was in an annoying brother kind of way, no intentional malice.
The rain wasn't bad at first, but as more clouds rolled in it got heavier and heavier. The only one who didn't seem to mind so much was Ruto, saying she liked the sound of rain as long as thunder and lightning didn't come crashing in too much. She was still sensible in keeping herself dry when school let out though, though compared to everyone else who were either over or underprepared she seemed a bit of an oddball since she only had a raincoat with hat and boots.
As the gray clouds continued to trudge through, Link sighed to himself. For once he was glad his mother had (kindly) nagged at him to bring an umbrella to school. Chances are Bleddyn wouldn't have liked going through the rain while he had the hood up. He opened up his blue umbrella and was about to step out when he noticed a certain blonde love of his in the corner of his eye. 'Oh geeze. Just keep cool, Link, and everything will be fine.' He thought while giving her a small wave.
Zelda smiled and waved back, "Walking home?" She asked while doing sign language. She knew she didn't have to actually speak while doing so, but it was such a habit it was weirder to not do it.
He nodded in response while carefully using his shoulder and the crook of his elbow to balance his umbrella, "[My house isn't too far from here and it's not that bad out.]"
"That's good. Must be nice." She scanned the street for a moment before turning her attention back to him.
"[Waiting on your driver?]"
Zelda nodded.
"[I can wait with you if you like.]"
"Oh goodness, Link you don't have to."
"[I want to.]" He was pretty sure she could see how red his face was.
"Thank you." She gave him a hug around his shoulders then heard a car coming up. It was rather easy to tell it was hers because it was a white limo.
"That's my ride, I'll see you tomorrow then." She was about to step out into the rain when Link caught her by her wrist. "Hmm?"
Link took a deep breath, puffed out his chest a bit, linked an arm with her and escorted her to the car while under his umbrella.
Zelda was now the one blushing, "You don't have to do this." She stated quietly as she took the handle from him so he could respond.
"[I want to.]" This came out awkwardly due to the linked arms, but neither party really cared.
Once at the car, Byrne opened the door for Zelda. Link held the umbrella over her until she was inside.
Byrne shut the door, looked at Link with an intense stare of examination before giving a single nod and getting into the driver's seat.
Zelda rolled the window down, "Thank you again, Link!" She waved until the window was up again and he was out of view.
Link let out a dreamy sigh as he stood there half under the protection of his umbrella.
"Hey lover boy! Don't get wet, your mom's gonna lecture you about it!" Bleddyn reminded.
"Ah, right!" Link now was fully under its protection.
"...We still need to go home."
"Oh, r-right." Link started making his way, a lopsided, lovestruck smile on his face.
A/N: Whelp, that's that. the first Gufuu taken care of and everything is good so far. How will our heroes face the next enemy? stay tuned!
...oh! And in case any of you guys were wondering, the language Link and Argorok converse in is actually Thu'um from Skyrim!
1) "You! Dragon! What power courses through you that thinks you better than humans and enslave them as unholy creatures for your bidding!? This destruction will not be tolerated for any longer! State who you are so that I know the name of who I will end this day!"
2) "She who bears the name of a Goddess and her Wolf have come. My Master desires to obtain your powers, whether your lives are to be intact is of no consequence to me. Once I have fulfilled my quest, my power will reach all corners of the land to protect the one closest to my heart. NO FORCE CAN STOP ME, THE ARGOROK KING! GIVE UP YOUR MIRACULOUS TO ME!"
3) "Your Goddess seems deaf to the proper tongue, Wolf. / A pity that your wisdom is so finite. Aerafols, Attack!"
4) "No...no! I will not endanger her safety!"
5) "Release my tail, vermin!"
6) "Medli! Stay away from her, Mongrel!"
7) "I WILL NOT LET MY LOVE DIE!"