"No, no, NO!" His sword clattered to the ground. His hands were curled into fists, his nails digging bloody crescent moons into his palms. "This isn't how it's supposed to go!"
"Calm down!" Another boy ran up to him, the blue ocarina strung around his neck thudding against his chest in time with his steps. "It was different for all of us."
Yet another boy stepped up to them. "Each hero lives their own life. The only thing any of us have in common is that we all have his soul and wear the green of his tunic."
"We also have our names!" A young boy pitched in.
"Still! We have to help the hero!" The first one cried.
The souls of the heroes of all the ages, all the generations, gathered together. A thick mist swirled around their boots, and their swords, ghostly copies of the one they all used to bring down the darkness of each age, glowed with a haunted light. The Goddess's Chosen Hero, disquieted by the events playing out in the mortal world; the Hero of Time, his precious instrument hanging around his neck; The Hero Chosen by the Gods, wolfish courage and loyalty in his eyes; The Hero of Winds, with his baton firmly in hand; the Legendary Hero of the Essences of Time and Nature, the staff of seasons propped up against him; The Hero of Trains, who traveled his land thanks to the Spirit Tracks; The Hero of the Four Sword, four children who hardly got along, despite being the same person.
"We have to think this over." They all turned as the oldest of them all, the first to wear the green of fields and save Hyrule from darkness, walked towards the group. The Hero Chosen by the Gods bowed, his fist over his heart, and the Hero of Hyrule rolled his eyes. "Link, I thought we've been over this. No need for formalities." The others nodded, and the boy from the era of Twilight rose.
"We have to help him!" The Goddess's Chosen Hero repeated, his blue eyes flickering across the crowd. "His journey will end before it's begun otherwise!"
The Hero of Time tapped his foot impatiently. "He didn't help you." He pointed out, gesturing towards the Hero of Hyrule, who frowned.
"Could I not be used as an example of what to do or not do?"
"Should have thought of that before defeating Ganon that first time. Everyone in Hyrule has been using you as an example for centuries." The Hero of Time replied.
"Actually," The Hero of Winds jumped in, waving his hand in the air to draw attention. "You were the idol of the Great Sea!"
"That's not important." The Hero of Time said, his face turning a vivid pink. He looked down and started fiddling with the Ocarina of Time.
"I distinctly remember you helping me." The Hero Chosen by the Gods said, his eyes glinting dangerously. They had that wolfish gleam ever since his first transformation.
"That's because you were a pathetic wretch. Honestly, you probably would've died at your own hands if I hadn't stepped in to teach you how to hold a sword the right way. By the way, the shiny sharp end points away from your body." The Hero of Time retorted bitterly, and the Hero Chosen by the Gods huffed and his body blackened to a silhouette. "Why are you changing?"
"Because you can't pretend you're better than me in this form." The wolf replied, the manacle around his front paw clinking as he sat contentedly.
"You're so cute like this." The Hero of Winds remarked, scratching Wolf Link behind the ears.
He sighed. "Get on then." He stood, and the child climbed onto his back.
"Yay! You're the best."
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it before." The wolf twisted around and gave the Hero of Winds a small lick on the nose. "Anyway, we should help him. He's obviously in trouble, and his situation won't get any better."
"I'm with Wolfie!" The Hero of Winds shouted.
"Of course you are." The Hero of Time sighed. "So much for being idolized." He turned towards the Goddess's Chosen Hero. "And you're for divine intervention too then?"
He nodded. "Of course!"
"You have no idea what you're getting yourselves into, any of you." The Hero of Time sighed regretfully, shaking his head. "You know what, if you really insist on interfering with this boy's fate, you can do it without me." He glared at the rest of them. "There is no way I'm screwing with this stuff again."
"I don't think it's such a good idea either." The Legendary Hero joined in the conversation, glancing apologetically towards the sky-child, who was so passionate about the new hero. "Just think about it, we were all created to keep balance between the light and the dark, right? Wouldn't ganging up on Ganondorf break the balance?"
"More than he already has? I'm sorry, but the balance is already broken!" Green looked around at all of them. "I want to help him."
"For once I agree with you." Blue walked up beside Green, crossing his arms. "The new hero needs my help."
"Your help? Blue, Everyone el-"
"Do you want help or not?" Blue interrupted Green, who just shook his head and sighed.
"I'm not up for it." Vio said, hanging back away from the rest. "If you want to help, you don't need my help. You can do it yourselves."
"Aww, Vio, at least try and sound friendly!" Red joked, and Vio scowled at him. "I don't want to help either. I know the new hero can do it. On his own!"
"I'm sorry, but you always expect me to step in and fix your problems. I'd like a break from playing the hero part." The Hero of Hyrule stated, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
"I want to help, and I'll do it well!" The Hero of Trains piped up, eager to please as always. "I won't let you guys down!"
"I don't understand why we're voting. I know that none of us are going to make another do something they don't think is right. If you want to interfere, go ahead, but I-"
"We need-" The Hero Chosen by the Gods fell silent at the Hero of Time's glare.
"You do not need me." He snapped. "Just because I helped you doesn't mean I need to give every child in Hyrule private lessons. Besides, right now he's in a dungeon. I didn't need help out of prison, and neither did you."
"Actually, Midna helped me…" He mumbled.
"Those who will help, figure out how." The Hero of Hyrule said. "If you really do want to interfere with the new hero's fate, standing around won't do it."
And so the wolf leaped away, followed by the group of heroes from legends past, the Goddess's Chosen Hero passing him and leading.