(All rights reserved by Nintendo & Capcom!)
Lifesaver stared at the screen as the reploid version of the MRI scanned the comatose patient. He scrutinized the results once they were computed-to find nothing. Absolutely nothing. No virus, no concealed malevolent programming, all the body parts were fully functional, no signs of tampering, no intruding nanobots, and not a trace of illegal tech to be found. Which prompted the question, how did the guardian of this youngster find himself accused of immoral boundaries? Lifesaver was never passionately engaged in politics, yet he knew that crossing the Japanese government counted as a major offense.
What the exact offense was, he had not the slightest clue. He highly suspected that the emperor ordered the information to be entirely confidential. Just one little tweet conveying mistrust would be enough to cause the world shy Hyrule to cut off all negotiations entirely. Which would convince the long elusive nation to retreat into isolation again. From the tension he has been experiencing for the last few months, he had a feeling it was a price no one would be willing to pay. As for who was in the know, the exclusive party only consisted of the emperor, his parliament, and Major Signus.
The latter probably informed due to the plain fact that the trump card for establishing their bond with Hyrule being a reploid. A reploid who was built by a man-whose motivations and loyalty were lost to the unknown. Lifesaver rechecked the results of his patient on the computer screen. Nothing abnormal in the boy, nothing troubling except for three little things. The boy's main systems and DNA were nearly impossible to penetrate. He could only scrape a meager amount of data before the enigmatic security code woven in immersed those crucial aspects into obscurity. Which sounded frightening familiar to X's and Zero's own privacy when it concerned their internal systems.
It could be possible that Dr. Avalon had been inspired by the two upstanding androids and managed to pull off a security program nearly impeccable to theirs. After all, he did belong to the elite group that had access to such information. He surely accounts for the superior intelligence that our scientific community had praised him for... The robotic doctor mused. The second thing that disturbed him was how the Force Metal reacted with the metal young Link was comprised of. The medical professional had discreetly sliced a thin sliver of the newbuilt's arm for testing. Taking out a low-level piece of Force Metal, he only slightly touched Link's metal with the hexagon by using tweezers.
VVVVVVVVRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
The stunned doctor flung his sliver aside as the Force Metal became suddenly illuminated by neon green light. He delicately picked up the glowing hexagon using tongs this time. He leerily placed the unrecognizable piece in a device that measured the power level of Force Metals. Only a few seconds passed before the machine began beeping harshly to indicate the astonishingly increased power level of the previously weak Force Metal. In a dumbstruck daze, he stumbled over to his desk where the sliver lay still burning hot. "The way this young lad can modify Force Metals could rival even Cinnamon's Force Metal Generator."
He laughed out loud-only to instantly become grim. That could never happen, especially on his watch. The calamitous behavior displayed by Link when enhanced by Douglas' mere monkey only spelled misfortune if any reploids were to use Force Metals boosted by the anomalous properties of Link's metal. He returned to his MRI results to see what metallic concoction made up the physical structures of the newbuilt's body. Frustratingly enough, he recognized none of the metal substances except for steel and titanium. Which most likely meant that most of the materials must have been exported from Hyrule.
His patient was designated to be the "link" between two different countries after all. If he lives to see the day without being scrapped and replaced that is... The senior officer sighed deeply as his fingers flew on the keyboard to send in a tiny troop of nanites to mend the microscopic damages to his patient. Even the minutest of afflictions could be highly hazardous to newbuilts during their earliest stages of development. Learned too well from the first wave of mavericks, most of them merely malfunctioning reploids from shoddy factories too cheap to properly manufacture revolutionary technology.
Then came the final problem that bugged Lifesaver's conscience like a parasite. What the smelt is TC?! Dr. Avalon had sent Link's general blueprints when informed his charge had temporarily gone maverick when using Force Metal. (The roboticist himself could not come to the android's aid because of the emergency that suddenly occurred at R.E.R Laboratories. Something about a cyber elf accidentally fusing a New Gen reploid with a senior maverick hunter who foolishly asked the same elf for an upgrade...) So, the scientist had asked him to take care of "his dear boy" and send in any new symptoms that might pop up. The doctor had thought the blueprint he received would be a great help in understanding how the little one worked. NOT!
The only explanation for the unfamiliar piece of machinery was that the scientist had designed it while visiting Castle Town, Hyrule for research purposes. Then he finished off the painfully short paragraph by claiming that it enabled Link to fulfill his future occupation. If Lifesaver was not suspicious of Dr. Avalon before-he now became completely convinced that more lurked within the boy's systems than his guardian would be willing to tell. As Lifesaver filed a health report, he felt full sympathy towards the young android. What on earth were Hyrule, Nippon, and his guardian planning to do with him? No big mystery why so many of his kind wished to be human... The atrocities and lunacies they were forced to accept seem to convey that their race was merely an invaluable experiment. Too beneficial to let go of, yet somehow not worthy of the equality humans possessed.
Ah well, science has its merits and demerits. We can only do the best we can in our situation. Lifesaver thought sagely as he recalled his nanites after they completed the necessary repairs. Hearing a shuffling noise, he turned to meet a security guard clearly shaken from whatever driven him from his post. Lifesaver could only hope it would not mean the coming of a certain someone. "What is it my good man?" He braced himself for the inevitable.
The scuffled guard coughed nervously, "I apologize deeply sir, I know you cannot have anyone intruding while you work on your patients. However, Commander-" CRASH! The poor guard jolted when he heard the security door being smashed while the doctor did not even bat an eye. "Dismissed!" The doctor snapped as the guard gladly took the opportunity to high tail it out of there. Lifesaver polished off his sub tank before facing the hunter he knew for sixty years. "You know Zero, although I'm nowhere near your age. It's as if you're the reckless teenager and I am the ever-tested parent..."
The famous world-wide hero just shrugged as he casually joked, "Guess it's just my influence." Then his eyes locked onto his friend as his tone became grave, "Doc, what's the verdict on the kid?" Lifesaver thoughtfully prepared his response. "I'm highly confident Douglas will not be charged for any hefty measures. Nothing indicated such an incident would occur, and from what we investigated, it was a genuine accident. Apparently, the Force Metal had an overpowering reaction to the metal Link-kun is constructed of.
Not only did the reaction enhance him beyond the Force Metal's max capacity, but he was also unable to control the intense power. Which is why he will be forbidden from using any Force Metals in the future." "And why did the metal Link-kun is made of reacted in such a violent manner?" Zero demanded. "Logically because most of it was shipped from Hyrule. Hardly any information has been collected on how their minerals and metals differ from ours. Were still in the starting stages of establishing a proper relationship." Lifesaver replied curtly.
Zero snorted, "Funny you should say that doc. Considering we've been taking in their refugees since 19xx. And it's even more funny that the government chose Avalon of all people to contract the first deal." Lifesaver was appalled by this. "Whatever could you mean?! Is it not rational to choose a scientist whose lineage derives from both nations to lead the first project to bring us officially together?!"
The crimson warrior only gave a cold cackle to his reasoning. "True enough doc. But they chose the wrong man. They had dozens of candidates who shared the same lineage and brains-but by horrid luck they nominated the worst of the lot." An idea came into Lifesaver's mind, "Are you in his highness' confidence on the true situation regarding Link?" He dared to ask. Zero shook his head mournfully, "No. But I wish a million zenny I was." "Then what's your beef with Dr. Avalon?! A possible criminal-to-be would not usually end up on your hit list!"
Lifesaver demanded with exasperation. To his bafflement all the bitterness and wrath from Zero's countenance was washed away by blank neutrality. His eyes wandered off as if gazing towards a faraway landscape or past. For a long while he stayed silent until the concerned doctor prodded, "Well?" His old friend met his gaze, his eyes clearly suppressing an inner conflict kept solely to himself. "As much as I appreciate your concern doc, I just can't."
"Then at least tell X what's eating at you for goodness's sake! Long-term grudges are toxic to your mental health!" Zero sadly shook his head," As much as I want to confide to somebody-I'm unable to right now." He gave a mock bow before marching off to who knows where. Lifesaver dragged his gloved hand over his face. "Hopefully X can sort out whatever is bothering Zero."
Lifesaver only shortly returned to his task when he heard footsteps entering his ward. Too stressed to distinguish the footsteps' lightness from the previous stomping he barked, "Would you mind allowing me to focus on my duty at present?!" Instead of Zero's smooth, icy voice he heard a high-pitched voice crying, "Hey! We came precisely at visiting hours!" He spun around to acknowledge the young Zelda with her fairies and Link's companions.
The voice that insisted they had come at visiting hours being none other than Navi. Said cyber elf hovered expectantly before him. "Oh, Zelda-chan! Apologies my dear, but I had to excuse Commander Zero from the room not too long ago..." Zelda slightly frowned, "Did he come here for Link? It was not his or Douglas' fault that the accident happened. None of us knew what could have happened." Amythest eyes expressing concern, since she knew Zero was not a hunter to be crossed.
"It's alright Zelda-chan, he only came in to investigate how the accident happened. He is not going to apprehend Link-kun considering the circumstances." Although he'll most likely arrest Dr. Avalon in a heartbeat. Lifesaver added quietly to himself. He waved them towards the pod holding their friend, "Go on and give the poor lad some company. You have an hour before I have to tend to him again."
The group approached Link's pod which was opened by the command of Lifesaver. Groggily, the young reploid sat up and rubbed his eyes, "Gah. Zelda-chan, is that you?" Zelda passed him a sub tank she had brought for him. "It's me, Link-kun. My, you do look terrible." Link massaged his forehead as he felt the reploid equivalent of a headache. "I feel even worse. I dreamt of being trapped in a ring of fire battling armored warriors, trying to open a temple looking like MHQ, and a robot monkey demanding a hundred rupees..."
Tatl clucked her tongue, "Wow Link, that dream is surprisingly accurate." The robotic boy raised an eyebrow, "How come, Tatl?" "Well, you just put the gym on fire when Douglas' Force Metal drove you crazy, forcing X and Zero to stop your monkey-induced rampage." The boy's eyes widened like dinner plates as the memories flooded through his computer mind like a tidal wave. "WHAT THE-I-HOW DID-" "Calm down Link! Drink your sub tank first!" Navi advised. The android practically drowned the energetic drink, although he was still visibly shaken.
"I canbot believe I actually went maverick over a tiny piece of metal..." He moaned. "Although you did look pretty cool for an ice sculpture!" Tael razzed. The ruffled robot had a feeling he did not want to know the details... "It's not your fault, Link-kun. We just did not know how you would react when using Force Metal." Zelda counseled him. Link wrung his hands anxiously, "Lovely, now they have another reason to have me scrapped." "Who wants you scrapped?"
Zelda questioned indignantly. The blonde blinked. It had not occurred to him that Hyrule's princess-to-be would be left out of the all-important contract's secrets... Would it be wise to alert her to his hazardous predicament? If the Hylian Council ever found out..., Would it be for better or for worse? Fortunately, Navi swiftly came to his rescue, "Don't worry Link! The hunters only retire corrupted mavericks!
You only count as a malfunction!" "A what?!" The brunette thought she caught on, explaining to Link about the order of hunting mavericks. "Back then, seven in ten mavericks were eliminated. But thanks to recent advancements in technology and the persistence of Commander X along with other reploid representatives. Now only two in every ten mavericks face permanent retirement." Link was amazed, "Wow, I thought all mavericks received the death sentence. So, who gets scrapped or not?"
Navi was relieved they evaded the trickier topic. Zelda continued, "Mavericks are arranged into five categories. Malfunctions are obviously reploids with defective bodies. They are easily captured and repaired, making up 15% of the maverick populace. Captives are reploids who are enslaved to do a criminal's bidding or bound to illicit programming that inhibits their free will. They are taken from their captors and then freed of whatever chains is binding them to crime.
They also make up 15% of all mavericks. Curables are reploids who have been infected with a virus that can be cured. They are safely quarantined and treated; they make up 20%. Criminals are of course reploids who choose to commit crime. Having to face arrest and imprisonment for their own actions, they use to make up 40% of the maverick populace. Yet changes made over the years for reploid rights had decreased it to 30%.
The last category is known as the Doomed Numbers, who make up the last 20%. They are either made mavericks by an incurable virus. Or if they have resisted rehabilitation incessantly and are deemed too dangerous for the public." "And I'm correct to say they are the ones who receive the capital sentence?" Link guessed. "Yes." "Well tough luck for them. Those poor fellows. I did not expect you to be researching on how my kind works."
"What else can you do when you're staying at a military base overflowing with them?" Zelda shrugged. While they were talking, Takeo had been rummaging in the bag they towed along. Grasping two orcarinas in his jaws, he padded over to his master's side. Then he pressed one of them into his hands. Link held it up puzzled, "Huh? Takeo? Why would you want to play fetch with this?"
Seeing the orcarinas reminded the owner of their purpose. "Oh! I almost forgot! I wanted to play the orcarina along with you! Good boy Takeo!" She scratched the cybernetic wolf behind the ear who released a contented growl. The green-clad android on the other hand, was not so thrilled. Zelda pressed the second instrument into his hand with an expectant smile. The teenage reploid hesitated, he probably should have told her music was not his strongest suit in the simulation. Ok, ok, if I remember my lessons correctly is goes like... The horrid screeching of dying cuccos blasted throughout the entire medical ward.
Other Lifesavers or patients jolted from the noise while the Lifesaver attending Link scolded, "Keep it down! Or visiting hours will be cut shortly!" Zelda and her fairies chortled in amusement. "Nice going, Hero." "Hey! Well excuse me princess for my lack of musical talent!" Link grumbled. The girl patted him on the hand holding the instrument. "Well, you could have told me you were having problems playing it. Just follow my lead and you will be able to play safely enough for eardrums and receptors alike." She lightly teased.
Th boy grumbled, but he readied his fingers and focused his gaze onto his newfound teacher. Following her melodious pace, he eventually mastered an impromptu tune in twenty-two minutes. Zelda grinned slyly, "Not too bad to be mistaken for a tormented flock of fowls." Link gave her a daring smile, "Oh, I was only playing around the first time. The basics were not all that arduous, I was just too busy with the other tests! You want to play the Song of Time with me?"
The girl blinked in surprise. Link noticed her confusion and asked, "You do know the Song of Time, right?"
"Nice joke, Hero."
"No really! If you have an ocarina, you should know the Song of Time then! And the legend that goes with it!"
Zelda cocked her head, "There is a legend behind this instrument?"
"Of course, there is! We thought Shad already informed you about the Orcarina of Time!" Her fairies chimed.
"No, so enlighten me." She said as she pulled up a chair that glided next to Link's pod.
The Hero-in-training gladly retold the wonderous tale of the mystical Orcarina of Time. The tale of a mere boy, raised in a forest who was sent to Hyrule castle with the aid of a fairy. How the kingdom was threatened by the King of Evil and the boy chosen to wield the sword that spelled his defeat. But the boy was kept bound by the Master Sword for seven years until he became ready to wield it. The young man and his fairy went all around Hyrule to collect the necessary talismans and people to end the Evil King's reign. Finally, it ended with the tyrant being banished to the Sacred Realm forevermore, while the Hero was sent back in time by Zelda's predecessor. (The tale was made even livelier with the fairies and cyber elf playing as the various characters.)
Zelda was astounded by all she heard. "That is quite a bewildering folktale of this Hylian instrument." "But it's true!" Link preened proudly. "Really? How can someone like you be so sure?" The heiress' skepticism understandable since she grew up in a land where magic was non-existent. (Her fairies learned to tolerate this.) Link responded confidently, "It's in the official records of Hyrule's history. And even if the Orcarina of Time had disappeared with-I think maybe when your ancestress was kicked out?"
"I do not need the reminder thanks." She glared at him. "Sorry, sorry! I did not mean to touch such a sore subject. Anyway, they still have the Master Sword and the Spiritual Stones. And of course, its customary for the Hero to always appear when evil needs to be given a sound beating for harassing Hyrule." Zelda held up her chin thoughtfully, "The reason you know all of this is because you're their replacement for the long-lost Hero huh?"
"Yep!" The said substitute gave a goofy grin. Zelda dared to ask, "And your positive you do not mind being handed this major responsibility without any say in the manner?" "Nope! All the possibilities of adventure are just too enticing for me!" He joked half-heartedly as he rubbed the back of his head. I kind of wish I was born a normal Hylian now that I met you, Zelda. You have no idea how risky it is to be me now... Suddenly Lifesaver made reappeared.
"Time to go I'm afraid." He warned. Zelda was reluctant to go, she had a feeling Link was not disclosing his true feelings on the subject. However, those were questions for another day. After Navi won the argument with Lifesaver on letting her and Takeo stay for Link's sake. Zelda, Tatl, and Tael were escorted from the room by Impa for "princess lessons." Yet little did the monarch-to-be was aware of the true storm beginning to brew in her Hero-to-be's heart.
