A/N: Hey all. I know it's been a while since I've uploaded anything. I've just been so book with school. I hope you all forgive me. This Chapter has been done for approximately 3 months now and took 5 days to write. Anyway, ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda or Fallout.
Link groggily opened his eyes, feeling a throbbing pain in the back of his head. He felt oddly top heavy, but as he attempted to move his neck to assess the situation, he felt an odd pressure against his neck. Ignoring this, Link looked around, seeing the flaps of a brown tent around his. Again, as Link moved his head, the pressure increased. Link attempted to move his hands to remove the dead weight, but found them bound together.
Link attempted to sit up, using his knees and elbows to gain some kind of leverage, but as he moved, he felt a sense of nausea. Still being stubborn, Link attempted to sit up once more, only for the sickening feeling to worsen and make Link fall to the ground with a thud.
"So, you're awake." came a voice.
The voice was deep, and penetrated his ringing ears like an arrow through paper. Link looked to the owner of the voice, whom was standing in front of him. A bulky man wearing a dark brown tunic and boots stood there, eyeing Link as he attempted to regain his composure.
"Boy, I don't know who you are, or why the Legate likes you, but he has decided to spare you from becoming a slave. At first, we hoped he would tie you to a cross, but it seems he has taken some sort of interest in you. Now, get up and follow me."
The man drew a machete and cut the ropes that bound Link's ankles, leaving the boy to fight the numb feeling that was taking over his legs and follow him. The man led Link through the camp, making sure to push and shove the boy around along the way. All around Link, were mobs of Legionaries. Some were training, others sharpening their machetes, while a few tormented the slaves that they had collected.
Finally, the man and Link reached a tent that was larger than the others. As they entered Link took note of his surroundings, hoping to find a point of escape. On his left, there was a room were two Legion men looked over a map, while, on his right, was another room filled with weapons. But what shocked Link most of all, was what was in front of him. Legate Lanius.
During the battle at Hoover Dam, the Courier had apparently shot the Legionary war veteran. There were even NCR reports that stated there was a recovery and positive identification of the body.
Link was pulled from his thoughts as a forceful jerk on his shirt made him bow.
"Welcome, Link, I trust that Ashford here didn't give you too much trouble." The Legate said.
Link kept silent, still recovering from shock.
"Boy, you would do well to speak to Legate Lanius when he has spoken to you." hissed the Legionary, now known as Ashford.
Lanius raised a hand to silence Ashford.
"Worry not, he is just surprised by my being. The people of New Vegas celebrates that courier, claiming he rose from his grave. Well, look at me, so have I- just like that
thorn of a nuisance." the Legate cackled evilly.
"Now, for my request. As you know, the Legion was trumped by the NCR at the battle of Hoover Dam, all because they had a 'hero' to lead them into victory. I want you to help the Legion, be a savior to us, a hero if you will."
Hero … something Link always desperately wanted to be.
"Your silence shows me your confliction, but think about it, you could have anything; money, power, women, an entire army, ready to march on your command."
It was a lot to take in for Link. A lot. The Legate's offer was so tempting, but, was it the right choice? What would Goodsprings think of him? How would Sunny, Trudy, or Doc Mitchell think if they heard he was in the Legion? There was no way they would accept something like that! He didn't even feel his parents would accept that. What happened to his parents anyway? What if …
Link's thoughts were broken by Lanius "So, what do you think?"
Link sighed "What of my parents?"
Link couldn't actually see it, but he knew the Legate was smirking under his helmet.
"They are safe," he said "for now."
Link tensed in anger. If he hadn't been surrounded by so many Legionaries, he may have attacked Lanius there and then. He didn't want to, but he had to become this "Legion Hero," he had to help his family.
Link barred his teeth "Fine," he said "I'll do it."
The Legate laughed "Good," he said between chuckles "Ashford, retrieve the boy a Pip-Boy."
Ashford got up and walked off at a brisk pace, quickly returning with a large watch-like object, along with a metal glove, which fit snugly and still allowed use of Link's fingers. Ashford jerked Link's arm forward, attaching the device to his wrist. Link examined the item curiously. On the left, PIP-Boy was written in bold letters, just to the left of a large wheel. Above that, was a Geiger Counter. Closer to the bottom was a plate that said "Model 3000." At the very bottom, was a large dial that clicked set on five different tabs. Ashford flipped a switch close to the underside of the machine, and the screen flashed red for a second. After the flashing was done, a cartoon man appeared, giving a thumbs-up and winking his left eye, then flashed to a screen with a few words on it.
Below the screen, three buttons could be seen, each with writing above them. On the left, "Stats" could be seen above the button, which was now glowing red. On the right, "Data" was above the button. Finally, in the middle, "Items" was written above the button.
The screen had a few words on it, along with a silhouette of the cartoon man, who now appeared to be taking long strides with his arms outstretched. On the left, were six abbreviations; CND, RAD, EFF, H2O, FOD, and SLP. Standing for condition, radiation, effects, water, food, and sleep- in that order. Below there, were five words; status, S.P.E.C.I.A.L., skills, perks, and general.
Link knew some of Vault-Tec's designs, but didn't know it did this much. The item scanned a person's body structure for fractures or illnesses. It seemed the same worked for the water, food, and sleep meters. Upon checking the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. tab, Link found it was an acronym, standing for strength, perception, endurance, charisma, intelligence, agility, and luck- all of which were in between 8-10, meaning the item even had a Vit-O-Matic Vigor Tester built in.
Link moved the dial left and right, finding it switched between the bottom tabs. Link pressed down the button labeled "Items," causing it to light up and the "Stats" button's light to shut off. The screen flashed once again, and revealed more options. There were now five options; weapons, apparel, aid, misc, and ammo. Link found all of the options self-explanatory.
Finally, Link pushed the "Data" button, revealing another five options; local map, world map, quests, notes, and radio. Link found most of these to be self-explanatory, except for the "quests" option. Link turned the dial to the tab and found it to be nothing more than an app used to make checklists.
"Now, rest, for tomorrow you take on your first mission." the Legate said.
Ashford led Link to a small tent, inside of which was only one bedroll, opposed to the normal three or four that other Legionaries had. Looking outside, Link saw everything the Legion had; from weapons to slaves. Now Link had to fight for these people, if they could be called people, they were more like monsters. But, what choice did he have? They were threatening him with his parents lives, he couldn't abandon those he loved! But still, he wasn't happy with his choice, he didn't think he ever could. He may have had to fight for these people, but he sure wasn't going to enjoy it.
Link sprawled out over the bedroll and closed his eyes, thinking back on the day until he fell asleep.
Link was awoken the next morning by the Legionary, Ashford, who told him the Legate wished to speak with him before his departure. Link sat up as Ashford closed the tent door, popping his back in the process. Link looked around, spotting something that hadn't been there when he fell asleep; a scabbard with a bighorner horn handle sticking out of it. Link picked up the blade, finding it surprisingly heavier, and removed it from its scabbard. Once he did this, he found it to have been reforged in steel, but yet the handle seemed the exact same.
Link took a second to look over the blade. He found the weapon heavier than his last, but not a lot heavier. The blade was dull and rounded for a couple inches, before moving into a convex edged blade. as the top of the sword was reached, the blade rounded into a point instead of the original cut, which had left the tip uneven.
Upon examination of the hilt, Link found there to be some minor differences. For one, the handle was wrapped in some kind of cloth, making the sword easier to grip. The swords new tang ran all the way down the length of the handle, before stopping at the pommel, which had been replaced with a bronze ball.
Link replaced the sword in its scabbard placed it onto his back. He turned on his Pip-boy, and in the weapons column typed "Sword" into a small naming box. After a short loading screen of the cartoon man, said cartoon appeared on the screen, holding a double edged blade.
Link smirked at the handiness of the device, it had a surprising amount of knowledge of pre and post-war items. After the amusing scene, Link headed towards the center of the camp, his smile fading as he realized he was about to be a member of the bad guy's team. The Legion, Link felt, was nothing more than a group of slavers with some semi-impressive numbers.
Link pushed the tent flap out of his way and moved inside, drawing the attention of Lanius.
"Welcome hero!" the Legate exclaimed.
Link flinched at the word "hero."
"As you know, today you take on your first mission in the Mojave. I wanted to give you a few gifts to help you in your endeavor." the Legate said, snapping his fingers.
Soon two legionaries came in, holding a large chest. The Legion soldiers sat down the trunk, gesturing for Link to open it. Said boy eyed the box with suspicion before lifting the lid up. The chest gave a creek as it opened up. The only thing visible was a pair of boots and two leather gauntlets atop a large amount of forest green fabric.
Link lifted the items out, revealing the fabric to be a large tunic. As the clothing unfolded, another article of green cloth fell out of it. Link snatched it up, finding it to be a large, cone shaped hat. Under the tunic, was a set of white underclothes. Link lifted the clothes from the box, causing it to catch on something and give off a small jingle. Putting the cloth over his shoulder, Link examined the next object. It seemed to be a large amount of small chains linked together. Link lifted it out of the box, revealing a full short-sleeved shirt made of the material. As Link put the metal shirt over his shoulder with the other clothing, he caught a glimpse of one more thing in the box. A shield.
Link pulled the shield from the box, finding it to be surprisingly lightweight. It had a deep blue base with a silver border. One of the shield's most apparent features, was a large, crimson, skeletal bird. Above its head, was the Legionary symbol of saviors, painted a bright yellow. Link's face morphed from interest to curiosity, questioning where the items had all come from.
As if he had read Link's mind, the Legate spoke up. "These items were found by Caesar, during his journey when he met Joshua Graham, the first of his legates. He created the Legion, as he believed he was supposed to find them."
Link was surprised by the Legate's sudden generosity, but shoved the thought aside as he thanked Lanius for the equipment.
"Now, for your assignment." the Legate said, snapping once again, causing another legionary to hand Link a holodisk.
"Nelson is currently the weakest of the NCR's current outposts. We would like you to secure it for the Legion once more."
"Wait, you expect me to secure Nelson alone?" Link asked, shocked.
"Yes," the Legate said "if the Courier could do it, then so can you. Now, go!"
Link was ushered out of the tent and led back to his. Link looked up at the sky as the legionaries finally removed the slave collar that had been around Link's neck. He knew that today, his whole life changed.
A/N: And that's all I wrote. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. MORE ON THE WAY! -GamerTacticsInc