Zelda's vision was blurry as she jogged down the street. She didn't know where she was at or where she was going but she didn't care. Her thoughts were racing a million miles per hour, shame and anger boiling inside her chest. She knew it was a mistake not to tell Urbosa, but she didn't think Urbosa would flat out refuse to believe her and belittle her like that.
Before she knew it, she had walked several blocks away. The area was less populated and more run down than where she had parked. A sense of unease ran through her, looking around and seeing nothing familiar.
"You lost little girl?" A gruff voice called out from the alley next to her.
Her heart pounded in her chest, she looked over, seeing three men loitering on the alley, one taking a drag from a cigarette and eyeing her.
"No, I'm with some friends, they'll be here any minute. Thank you."
One of men in the back snorted, flashing a knife from the pocket of his red hoodie.
"Why don't you come with us? We'll help you find your friends. This is a bad part of town after all, Yiga territory."
Zelda backed away, a fearful expression on her face before she took off running, the sounds of footsteps behind her only adding to her panic.
One of them called out to her mockingly, "I call dibs when we catch her!"
Tears streamed down her face as she looked around frantically for an escaping, calling out for help that fell on deaf ears. She took a sharp turn into an alley, running behind a building, her smooth boots causing her to lose traction on the sand that had accumulated from the blowing wind.
Zelda cried out in pain when she hit the floor, scraping her hands and covering her clothes in sand and dirt. Behind her, she could hear their running slowing down. She turned over and kicked away from them, struggling to catch her breath as she cried, two of them staying near the front of the alley as lookouts.
"Well well, that was fun, I'll be taking my prize now." He leered at her, purposefully taking slow strides to close the distance.
Up close, Zelda could see the inverted Sheikah symbol tattooed on his cheek, terrified that she was going to die to these Yiga members. Once he got closer she reeled her leg back and shot it forward into his stomach, calling out for help loudly. He lurched forward then gripped her ankle painfully and yanked it to the side.
He growled out in rage. "For that, I'm going to slit your fucking throat!"
He raised his arm, brandishing the knife and swinging it down. She brought her hands up to cover her face, screaming in terror. Her heart pounded in her ears, hearing someone call her name, when she suddenly heard a sickening crack. She kept her eyes shut, quaking in fear before hearing a loud thud next to her. She opened her eyes hesitantly, before they shot open wide, seeing the back of her fully corporeal phantom standing protectively infront of her, holding a metal pipe as a weapon. Her eyes moved down, seeing the man who was standing over her crumbled on the floor, a gash on the top of his head as he groaned in agony.
He glanced back at her, his eyes fierce and focused before returning his attention to the others. They ran forward, pulling hidden weapons from their clothing.
"Looks like we got a hero on our hands. Put the pipe down and we might let you live. We're Yiga, nobody fucks with us and lives."
If they had expected a response or reaction, they never got one. He continued staring them down with barely contained rage, his hand gripping the pipe so hard it was beginning to deform. They hesitated, backing up a bit when Impa skidded into the alley, calling out for Zelda frantically. When she saw the scene before her, she pulled her blade out and flicked it open.
"Leave her the fuck alone! If I find out you touched a single hair on her fucking head I'll gut you like pigs!"
They looked between themselves, already not liking their odds against that would be hero, let another another armed person. They helped up their unconscious friend and began backing up towards the entrance to the alley.
One of them sneering at Impa. "So what, you're a good guy now Impa?"
She didn't respond, stepping closer and getting ready to swing her blade. They panicked and ran, trying to hold up their friends limp weight. They both waited till they were out of sight before kneeling next to Zelda. Impa stroking her hair and trying to console her.
"It's okay, you're safe! I heard your screaming and I came running as fast as I could!" She wrapped her arms around Zelda, trying to wipe the tears that ran down her face. She met his gaze and smiled thankfully, he nodded and put a hand on Zelda's back, rubbing circles till she stopped crying. Impa helped her to her feet and called the police, a Gerudo squad car pulling up soon after. Her ghostly hero vanished before they arrived.
They questioned Impa, who told them she had spooked off the Yiga, giving them the names of her attackers, descriptions, and even areas where they were normally found hanging out in. The Gerudo officer shot her a suspicious look at the excessive information before thanking her and walking back to report the details to nearby units.
Impa quickly walked over to Zelda who was sitting in the back of an ambulance getting her scraped hands looked at. She put an arm around her and rubbing her shoulder soothingly.
"I called Urbosa, she's on her way."
Zelda remained silent, staring at the floor.
"You're safe, it's oka-"
"He came back."
"Huh? Of course he did."
Zelda wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and leaned into Impa's touch.
"I told him I hated him, and that I never wanted to see him again and he still came back and protected me." She looked up at Impa, her green eyes bloodshot. "And you too. I treated you so awfully when we first met, and yet you both were the reason I'm still alive now.."
Impa stroked her hair gently, pulling her closer onto her side. "You can't judge someone by how they act in one single moment of anger. We all say shit we regret when we're angry. You had valid reasons to be upset with him, and he was right to do what he did. The world's complicated. You're a good person, but we all make mistakes. Or maybe we just see something in you that's worth getting through that stubborn little shell you got."
Zelda sniffled and gripped onto Impa's clothing, terrified and relieved and so grateful to have them in her life.
"All I know is you two better kiss and make up."
Impa smiled and ruffled Zelda's hair, ignoring her half hearted glare. They sat in silence for a few moments, Impa seeing Zelda's troubled expression before trying to lighten the mood.
"He's pretty hot, huh? Standing over you all protective and serious like that."
Zelda stayed quiet before sighing and laying her head in Impa's lap.
"Yeah. You were pretty attractive too with your knife and protective speech."
They shared embarrassed blushing faces, waiting for Urbosa to show up and enjoying each other's company and the cool breeze. Zelda could feel his gaze on her again, relaxing more and shooting an appreciative smile in his direction.
Urbosa showed up soon after, speeding when she came around the turn and parked in the alley. She rushed to Zelda kneeling next to her and pulling her into a tight embrace.
Impa stepped to the side, wanting to give them space. Behind her she heard a car door, looking over and seeing Mipha stumble out of the car and walk into the alley before leaning over and bracing her hand on the wall before emptying her stomach on the floor. Impa grimaced them walked over to pat her back and check on her, knowing Urbosa probably broke every speed limit to get here as fast as she did.
"My sweet little bird, I'm so sorry!" Urbosa wailed, nails digging into Zelda's clothes as she squeezed her, frantically searching her for injuries. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that! Oh, Hylia, you almost died because of me!" Her mascara was running as she cried, clutching Zelda's head to her chest.
Zelda tried to speak but kept getting cut off, resigning herself to holding onto Urbosa till she calmed down. Listening her her racing heart and heavy breathing. "It's okay Urbosa, I'm safe, I promise."
Urbosa sniffled and tried to wipe her eyes, her jewelry clattering together with each movement. She heard Impa walk back over, shooting her a sad smile.
"Thank for you saving my little bird, I'm so sorry for what I said earlier."
Impa scowled and crossed her arms, shooting her a disapproving look before speaking quietly. "Don't thank me. I.. I wasn't fast enough. If he hadn't shown up when he did, I would've just found them standing over her corpse."
Urbosa stiffened, looking away from Impa ashamed. "I see."
Zelda sat up, holding and squeezing Urbosa's hand. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I didn't want you to blame yourself for me getting haunted. But, I see that pales in comparison to now."
"You don't have to apologize. I should've given you more trust. I've watched you grow from a child, I know you would've told me otherwise if you didn't have it under control. I should've given you the benefit of the doubt at the very least instead of yelling at you the way I did. For that, I am the one who is sorry."
Zelda pulled her into a tight hug, burying her face into her chest, a few moments passing before she mumbled softly. "Can.. Can I call you mother?"
Urbosa's heart skipped a beat, pulling back surprised to look at her face, not fully believing her own ears. "Excuse me? I-i was only your mother's best friend, I don't deserve that. I almost got you killed too.. That's the last thing you should want to call me right now."
Zelda frowned and sat up, looking into her eyes defiantly. "So what? You helped raise and mentor me for ten years. A whole decade devoted to a little girl that wasn't even yours. You kept me company, bought me toys, books, food, clothes, anything I ever wanted. You've stuck by my side every day that I can remember ever knowing you. If that doesn't make you a mother to me, then I don't know what does. I know how you feel about me, so please, let's cut the bullshit. I don't want to die before telling you the truth."
She wrapped her arms around her tight, her voice nearly cracking as she spoke. "I love you, mother."
Urbosa's breathing hitched, pulling Zelda closer to her as fresh tears began to flow from her eyes, burying her face into her golden locks. "I-i love you too, my precious little bird."
They stayed like that for several moments, clinging to eachother and relishing the words that had been unspoken for years between them. A shrill voice breaking the silence.
"Zelda!!!!" Mipha ran over, pulling said woman into a tight hug, asking repeatedly if she was okay and to let her check her bandages. Her mouth smelled of fish, fruit, and vomit, Zelda grimacing and trying to tell her she was fine, but she wouldn't listen, eventually crying and holding onto her and rocking her side to side in her arms and thanking the Goddesses she was okay.
Urbosa stood back and watched with a smile on her face. She tensed when she felt Impa's presence next to her, regarding her guiltily. "I'm sor-"
Impa cut off her, watching the sight of Zelda trying and failing to escape the blubbering zora's clutches. "Don't. You were right. I do have a fucked up moral compass, but," she exhaled, smiling when Zelda shot her a look to come help. "she's helping me fix it. No hard feelings. Now excuse me while I help your daughter out."
Impa jogged over, struggling to pry Mipha's surprisingly strong drunken grip off Zelda, the two laughing and having to help calm Mipha down now and assuring her that everything was okay and she was too drunk for this.
Urbosa watched silently, looking over at movement out of the corner of her eye to see a Hylian boy no older than Zelda watching from a distance, leaning against a wall. He regarded her silently, giving a curt nod before returning his attention to the scene playing out before him.