"'Let's go save the world,' they said. 'It'll be fun,' they said."
Link kicked a rock angrily. Of course the words "let's" and "fun" were never in the explanation the Great Deku Tree and Rauru had offered. It was more along the lines of "you" and "so-painful-you'd-rather-have-shards-of-glass-shoved-in-your-eyes."
What Link himself didn't understand was why they would place their lives in the hands of a ten-year-old kid. He had never stepped foot out of Kokiri Forest and had never seen an adult before in his life. But, no, he had to pull out the Master Sword and become an adult himself.
Then he saved Saria from the Forest Temple, allowed a new Deku Tree to grow, and was basically told, "You're parents are dead and you're an orphan! You're life's gonna be a living hell from now on! YAY!"
Now he was left wandering through Hyrule Field alone. There was nothing else to do. He couldn't go into Castle Town. Adults would either admire him or say there was no proof he saved anyone in the first place. And Malon was too smothering at the ranch. Sometimes girls just wouldn't let him go. He couldn't help it that he had devilish good looks! Oh, what a difficult world it was…
He took if the Keaton Mask hanging on the side of his head and looked at it. The Happy Mask Salesman had made it for him as a gift for selling all his masks. And then he popped up again in Termina.
Oh, Din, Termina! That creepy place. Living the same three days over and over for five months with that…thing hanging overhead really does things to your mind.
But then there was Zelda. Ah, his Zelda. What a wonderful, beautiful princess. He saved the world, stood with her, totally alone, and that's when she said those fateful words…
"You saved all of us, gave up your childhood for the sake of others, and kept my ocarina close with you all this time. You've done well, Link… Now piss off."
Yeah, yeah, maybe those weren't her exact words. But that's all he could process while he stood there with his jaw hanging open. What? No hug? No kiss? Not even victory sex? Geez, and he thought he actually had a chance.
Nevertheless, he understood the reason Zelda sent him back. Not that he approved, but he got it. She wanted him to live out his childhood. Sadly, so far his childhood sucked. It's just…the moon! It's just so freaky!
He groaned and set the mask back on his head. Where should he go now? Ever since leaving the forest he had been so dissatisfied with staying in one place for more than a day. It was a curse. He couldn't stand not exploring, not going on an adventure. It was torture!
"I hate this," he muttered aloud.
He paid no attention as he heard someone approach behind him. They were walking slowly and stealthily, like they expected not to be noticed.
"I know you're there," he called out. "Now tell me what you want."
The footsteps stopped for a second, but then quickened to his side. He didn't look up at the woman, instead avoiding eye contact.
"I suppose my spying skills need work," she said half-jokingly.
"I knew you were watching me the entire time," Link shrugged. "So, yeah."
"…Are you the Hero of Time?" the woman asked, obviously knowing the answer.
Link rolled his blue eyes and looked up to say something to her, but quickly shut his mouth. Before he could work his way up to her face, his gaze stopped midway. It's just…
Her chest was so…um… He was never a guy to judge by a woman's appearance, rather judging on personality, but this lady must've used some sort of, uh, enhancement magic.
"My name is Cia. I'm a sorceress."
Yup. Definitely enhancement magic.
"Name's Link," he introduced himself, regaining his composure. "What can I do for you?"
Cia tapped her fingers on her scepter thoughtfully. "You see, I'd like to offer you a deal. It won't be much work, I assure you."
Link raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "A deal?" he repeated. "Depends on what kind of deal."
"Well," Cia began. "I come from another time and space. Do you understand so far?"
"Yeah," Link answered in a bored tone. "I've done it a few times myself."
Am I not even questioning time travel? he asked himself. Dear Nayru, my life is messed up.
"You see, I come from a universe parallel to this one," Cia explained.
Termina immediately jumped to mind.
"In my land, Zelda hungers for power. My job as the Guardian of Time was to watch over the balance to the Triforce and protect it. However, Zelda cast a spell on me that replaced my light magic with black magic. Now my soul is turning dark as well. She tricked my sister, the whole army… I can't go up against them myself. So, will you please help me?"
Cia gazed at him hopefully. Link, though not questioning the credibility of the situation, was questioning something else.
"How do you even know about me?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
Cia didn't hesitate to answer. "As the Guardian of Time, the Goddesses granted me the power to watch all dimensions and time. At one point, I saw you. You were quite amazing with your feats. I understand you are not happy with your role of the hero, but because you are so kind, you'll accept anyway. So I made you a present."
Cia extended her hand, revealing a golden bracelet with a pink jewel in the middle.
"Go ahead," she offered. "Put it on."
Link grimaced and reached for it. "A little girly, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry," Cia laughed. "It's enchanted. Until you get older, it will allow you to transform into a teenager whenever you wish. And when you become old, you may transform into either that or a child."
Link stared wide-eyed at the bracelet that was now on his wrist. "Why would you give something like this to me?" he asked, a hint of innocence in his tone.
"Because I know how you feel," Cia answered, her voice becoming serious. "You went into this as a child in an adult's body. Now you're an adult in a child's body. You don't know what you are anymore. I know I can't fix that, but I can offer you this. You were raised to believe you would be a child forever. And now…" She placed a hand on the bracelet. "You finally can."
Link frowned and her touch. Sure, he was lied to his entire childhood, but was he really that upset? Did he really want to have the eternal youth he was once promise. He sighed in defeat.
Yes, he did.
Plus, with becoming a teenager, he would be able to defend himself better. Perhaps this really was worth it.
"One more thing." Cia squatted to his level and grasped his hands in hers. "I've seen how the people treat you. Either they give you empty gratitude or they despise you. They don't care about you. They only care about their lives being spared. But I won't treat you like that." Her eyes bore into his seriously. "I swear."
Link bit his lip. This Cia person was telling the truth, he was sure. But was there any risk he was missing? No… There wasn't one he could find.
"And you won't be facing this alone," Cia admitted. "I've recruited someone else, and after you, there will be one more person. Together no one will be able to stop us. And more importantly…" Her grasp on his hands tightened. "You'll never have to worry about being alone ever again."
Link wasn't sure what to say. Here was a woman appearing out of nowhere willing to give him everything he wanted. But just leaving Zelda like that…? No. It was fine. He'd left her for adventuring plenty of times before. What made this any different?
He looked up at Cia with a determined smile. "Yeah. I'd like that."
"So…you'll help me?" Cia asked happily. "Thank you so much! Please, we must go now. I don't want to waste another moment."
"Of course," Link said, letting his mature side show. He held Cia's hand as she waved her scepter to create a purple portal. He stepped through it with her, determined to gain something from this adventure. However, one question echoed still in the back of his mind:
Did he really know what he was getting himself into?
"Oh, Volga, I'm back!" Cia called in fake sweetness.
Volga turned his head to see Cia returning with another Link. He stood up from his seat and approached them. "There wasn't any sort of attack while you were away."
"That's good," Cia replied, her gentle earning her odd glances from Volga. "This is Link. Link, this is my general Volga."
"Ugh…" Volga groaned. "Uh, nice to meet you."
Link stared up at him childishly. "What's with the goatee?"
Volga showed a deadpan expression. "…I'm sorry?"
"The goatee," Link repeated. "It doesn't look good on you. Blond people don't wear them very well. You'd look better if you were clean-shaven. My first order as part of this army is for him to shave that thing!"
"Wha-?" Volga clenched his fists. "Who are you to order me around?!"
Cia quickly stepped between them with a nervous laugh. "Well, now that you two know each other, why don't you go into this room I've set up?" She placed her hands on Link's back and gently pushed him towards the west of the temple. "Just wait for me to prepare one last thing and I'll introduce you to the rest of our little team."
Link stuck his tongue out at Volga as they left, provoking the warrior again. Cia quickly led him to a room identical to the one she put the Hero of the Sky in, only this one was at the opposite end of the structure.
"You just sit tight here," she said leading him into it. "And I'll be right back."
Link was silent as she shut the door and placed the same spell on it that she put on the other hero's door.
"Two down," she whispered to herself. "One to go."
*Young Link is a bit vulgar compared to the other one, isn't he? XD I just always thought, "Wouldn't he be a bit off his rocker after Termina?" Poor guy. ^^' And while I was looking through pictures to put for the cover, you know what I noticed? SS Link is the oldest known Link (he's seventeen-and-a-half while OoT Link is either 17 or 16 and TP is 16) but he's always depicted as the shortest. 0_0 I don't get it. Seriously, he's the oldest! Miyamoto said so!
TP Zelda: They're all so adorable, though. ^^
SS Zelda: Aw, do you have a crush on him?
TP Zelda: Maaaaaaaaybe~. Uh, how do you show Link you love him?
SS Zelda: Err…I get kind of shy and just push him off the edge of Skyloft. _
TP Zelda: Oooooooh. Hey, Link! *grabs TP Link* Come with me! I wanna show you something! *takes Link to cliff*
TP Link: Uh, I don't see anything.
TP Zelda: *pushes Link off cliff* I love you, Link~! 3
K bye.*