It had been several weeks since the incident. The sun was shining down from the sky, though the day was cold and crisp. The autumn had given way to winter, and a thick layer of snow covered the ground. The orchards had been harvested, and most Smashers were celebrating the upcoming holiday season. It seemed that most of the realms had a Winter celebration similar to what those from Earth called Christmas. Music played, presents were wrapped and placed under a great Evergreen Tree, which was decorated in Red and Gold ornaments. Lights decorated the outside of the castle, and the front yard was filled with snow sculptures, from simple snowmen to elegant dragons, and even a giant snow cat. The smashers were in the banquet hall, sharing traditional holiday meals from their respective cultures.
The Pokemon brought Poffins and Pokepuffs, while Ganondorf had provided a roasted boar. Princess Peach baked a huge vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream icing, and Luigi had roasted Mushrooms for a side dish. All of the Smashers had provided something for this meal. Things seemed to be changing for the better.
The hands had been treated and were now fully healed, seated at the head of the table in the dining hall. Link had healed as well, and though he hadn't yet awoken, it was only a matter of time. For his comfort, he had been moved back to his bedroom, where he was watched by close friends. At the moment, Luigi was attempting to pry Zelda away from the room for a few minutes.
"Come on Zelda. At least come down for a moment, get some food, rest a bit." Luigi's voice was serious, not anything like the one he usually used.
"What if he wakes up when I'm not here? What if he needs help?" Zelda was losing at this point.
"Zelda, if you're worried and stressed when he wakes up, it'll upset him." She knew that the green-clad gentleman was right. Sighing, she relented.
"Okay, but only for a moment."
"Okey-dokey. Let's a Go!" Luigi allowed a bubbly voice to break out, in order to calm her down. In reality, he was thinking seriously about what was happening around him. He pulled the reluctant princess out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Then the pair went down to the banquet hall, where people laughed and played. A slow song started, and Luigi, hoping to distract the princess from her troubles, extended a hand to her. "Care for a dance, my lady?"
Zelda, being as noble as she had been raised, knew that it was rude to decline such an offer. Plastering on a fake smile, Zelda looked at the slightly shorter man. "I'd be delighted to." She grabbed his left hand with her right, and placed her left on his shoulder. He placed his right hand high on her waist, careful not to overstep his boundaries. The two swayed and spun to the song, and slowly, Zelda's smile became real. When the song ended, Luigi spun the princess once, and let a small laugh out. After that, the song became more upbeat, and Luigi recognized the song. Before she could leave, he pulled her close, and then proceeded to chicken dance. The princess giggled slightly at his antics, and then, noticing Yoshi and Kirby doing the same, she proceeded to copy the dance, and the two danced until the song ended. The next song was one neither party were familiar with, some difficult line dance. The two exited the dance floor.
Zelda and Luigi went over to the table, where they filled their plates with food. However, before they could sit down, Mario came towards the pair. "How is Link doing?" This question immediately put Zelda out of her good mood.
"He's doing well. He hasn't awoken, but he shall soon. I can tell. I'm going back to his room. Care to join me?" Her question was formal once more, guarded.
"Alright. Thank you, Zelda." Mario was genuinely happy to be checking on his friend, though he saw the pain in her eyes. She headed back up to the room, with Mario attempting to follow. Luigi, however, gripped his arm, calling out to Zelda.
"We'll be there in a few minutes. I need Mario's help with something first." Zelda gave no sign of having heard them. She left the room, carrying the food with her. Luigi pulled Mario to an empty training room, a ways away so that they wouldn't be overheard. "Mario, what was that?"
"Luigi, I don't know what you're talking about."
"I finally manage to get her out of her misery for a few minutes, and you jut had to go and ruin it."
"Okay, so I'm the bad guy for worrying about my friend?"
"Mario, Zelda is in pain. You ought to be ashamed about your actions. Don't forget, Zelda knew him before we did."
"Stop, okay. I get it. I can apologize, but I'm going to go see him."
"Mario, why can't you accept that you're wrong?"
"I know I messed up. I saw it in her eyes, but she left before I could apologize."
"Alright, Mario" Luigi's fake childishness returned, masking his true stern personality. "I'm sure she'll recover."
"Then Let's-a-go!" Mario turned away, not seeing the wisdom in his brother's gaze.
"Okey-dokey!"
The brothers went to Link's room, and there they saw something strange. The plate of food lay forgotten on a desk, for Link's triforce marking glowed brighter than ever before. Zelda sat holding his right hand, his left resting on his chest. His eyes flicked back and forth under his eyelids, and he was breathing quicker. Mario rushed forward to take his pulse, but before he got there, Link sat upright, opened his eyes, and yelled. Then, he stopped, and seemed to notice his surroundings. His hand stopped its glow.
Zelda spoke first. "L-Link? How do you feel?"
Link moved his mouth and drew his eyebrows together. He tried to speak, but no sound came forth. Then, with a thire attempt, he managed to speak, though his voice was rough and scratchy. "I feel... bad. Can... Can I have a drink? Please?"
Mario grabbed a glass and went to the bathroom. He returned moments later with water. He handed it to Link, who gulped it down greedily. He then spoke again, this time with a stronger voice. "I can remember. All of my past lives. It's like I've lived them all, but at the same time, they're trying to overwrite each other in my mind." His eyes watered, and he blinked the tears away. "I remember my journeys... I remember Saria, and Ilia, and... and you Zelda. Over and over again, you're there. And you don't remember, but I do, and overtime, I save you, and the world, and I think things are about to be peaceful, and..." He choked up here, and tried his face in the blankets. Mario rubbed his back and Luigi just sat there, watching.
Zelda spoke to her hero then. "Link, maybe there's a reason you can remember. Maybe you can do better this time and-"
"NO!" Link looked at her, shocked that he had shouted. "I... I didn't mean to. I just... every time I get to the end, and I'm about to live out my life, they come, and they destroy me, only to make me again in difficult situations because they can't be bothered to fix things themselves. And then, when I should get to have peace as a reward, they destroy me. It's like I'm cursed."
"Link..." But there was nothing she could say. Nothing anyone could say, for nobody could help. Like was going through something that no one else could comprehend, and they didn't know how to help their friend cope.
Luigi, however, had an idea. "Maybe if you see your friends from this life, it'll help keep the other memories at bay." The others agreed, and they made their way slowly down to the celebration. Link was weak after so long laying down. His legs had trouble supporting him, but he wouldn't allow the others to help him. Finally, frustrated by the delays and Link's stubbornness, Mario scooped up the 18-year-old, and, ignoring his protests, carried him into the banquet hall.
"Hey everyone," shouted Fox. "Link's back!" Many smashers rushed over to him, congratulating him on his recovery, expressing their condolences to his pain, offering to help him train up to his previous peak condition. However, the only person Link saw was his enemy from times past.
"Ganondorf," Link snarled, "after all of your defeat, you dare to invade here?"
Ganondorf, of course, laughed. "Ah, how nice to be remembered, boy. However, I didn't 'invade,' I was invited. I belong here as much as you."
Link drew his sword and rushed at the sorcerer, who blocked with magic. "Link, stop! You will cause grave things if you do not cease now and put aside your rage."
Link did not stop. The anger of multiple lives all joined together and pushed his consciousness back leaving noting but an angry beast, determined to destroy the man before him. Link leapt, aiming for his throat. Ganondorf jerked to the side at the last moment, and tripped Link, who sprawled to the floor. Before he could rise up, Ganondorf stepped onto his back, holding him down.
"Stop struggling, or it'll get worse."
Link, however, couldn't understand language at the moment. He just felt the need to kill the enemy before it was too late. At that time, the grandfather clock at the front of the room struck 8, and Link stiffened, before he screamed. Mario leapt forward, pushing Ganondorf off, while Zelda tried to hold Link. Link, however, was against this, and lashed out, striking her cheek. She gasped, as Link had never before hit anyone out of anger. She backed away slowly, not knowing what to do.
Link silenced, before his body arched, glowing with golden light. His form seemed to waver, and then a blinding flash filled the room, causing everyone to shut their eyes. When the light disappeared, Link as they knew him was gone. In his place was a 10-year-old boy with a gilded sword.
