Chapter -7-
Ladies First

1775 A.D.
Spectacle Rock, Northern Hyrule…

Linkle opened her stance to keep herself balanced. The crosswinds toyed with her green tunic, so that the blouse seemed to try and move to her right while the shoulder coverings and attached hood tried to go to the left. Her orange skirt clung to her waistline, while the black fabric beneath hugged her alabaster legs. Her long brown boots, which stopped just a few inches above her knees, had crossbows attached on the outsides of her legs, stopping just before her calves met her ankles. The tops of her boots had scuffs and knicks.

Her braided blonde hair framed her face, stopping short of a golden compass that hung on a chain around her neck. The compass bounced over her torso with her movements, revealing a pocket watch built into the backside of the necklace.

The girl, young but with a mature posture and expression, held a large gun in her gloved hands, with the barrel becoming wider at the end of the muzzle.

She narrowed her gaze, meeting the eyes of her foe. "I told you, I'm Linkle Lynn. And this? This contraption is how far Hylians have come since your last visit, mate." She squeezed the trigger of her blunderbuss, which responded with a deafening crack.

The partially-formed Ganon screeched in protest, cupping the long dark robes that adorned his shoulders and hung to his feet, completely hiding his body from sight. He grasped at his chest, astonishment replacing the smug look that had tugged at his marred, unfinished face. "Wh-what?!"

Linkle dropped the blunderbuss on the ground and reached for the twin crossbows attached to her boots. She pulled on a switch at the handle, causing the crossbows to become unattached at the tops and bottoms, so that she could brandish the twin weapons with grace and speed. "Oh, what, you thought because I was a girl that I would be a pushover? Welcome to the bloody eighteenth century, you ponce."

Ganon glared at her with a blank expression.

"Surprise. We have gunpowder, and I took that silver arrow you shattered, and, oi, I packed it in that-there blunderbuss, and filled yer chest full of it, moppet. You thought you were going to just come here and regenerate, did you? I reckon it best to have you sorted before you fully reincarnate into that shite body you're growin', yeah?"

"You are the Chosen Hero reincarnate?! But you're … a girl!"

Linkle laughed. She reached to the front of her tunic and blouse and pulled them forth, then she peered down at her fabric-wrapped bust, where she had a long cloth wrap encircle her body to keep her bustline modest and supported properly. "Oh! I'm a girl?! Is that why I have these things?" She lifted her gaze back to the partially restored Ganon and narrowed her glare to appear menacing.

"The Hero is Hylia's chosen lover, reincarnated…!"

"Listen here, you sodding sack of meat…"

"No, you listen! I will strike you down just as surely as if you were a man! I am the almighty Ganon, demonic soul of…"

"Oi! Wait just a tick! I don't give a toss who you think you are! You're still a bleeder like the rest of us. And I can't be arsed with you one bit. I have priorities, mate. So, listen up and take some notes, then, will you? I've come to get you sorted and move on with my life, because I have a mountain to do, y'see? And, one more thing, yeah? If I'm really the first girl to beat your hide, then by all means, let me show ye how a woman fights. Because, love, I fight proper dirty – I fight to win." She fired both crossbows, hitting Ganon's partially formed face right in each eye.

Ganon screeched in anger and protest. He brought his gnarled arms upward and reached for the bolts but hesitated in pulling them from his skull.

Linkle shoved both crossbows down, where they clipped into place on the side of her boots. She took a step back then jumped up into the air. Orange wings unfurled from beneath her knees, attached to the boots, allowing her to leap high into the air. Her left foot went across his face, kicking him so that his head snapped back.

She landed in a crouch and the wings disappeared back around the backside of her boots, gone in an instant. She gazed up at Ganon, seeing that he was unaffected by the kick. She pursed her lips.

Ganon thrashed about, blind and angry. His face was contorted in frustration, but the details of his visage were as lacking and gnarled as his hands, proving to her that he hadn't yet finished forming. "I … will … kill you, child!"

"I'm a legal adult," she replied. Linkle dashed toward him, crouched, leapt, and brought her right knee into his jaw, while using her hands, upon the hood atop of his head, to shove him back.

Ganon dropped onto his back, clutching his face where two short arrow bolts were buried in his eye sockets. He gasped for a deep breath and held it for a second or so. "I ended the bloodline of the hero with the last iteration!" he bellowed.

Linkle approached Ganon and stood over him. "Oh, did you?! Because here I am, you bloody dunce. I'm right here. Daughter of Tingle 'n Malon Lynn. Blood of the hero in m' veins, I was told. Guess they were right, yeah? M' father bequeathed this compass I wear 'round m'neck. It was all that was left of my great grandfather, and your blood splashed onto it. So it homes in on you. Not sure how that works, but it led me right to you, now, din' it?"

"A … compass?!" Ganon roared with rage in his voice. "You found me with a compass?!"

"Too right, I did. I hope y'saw it earlier; I doubt you'll be seein' much of shyte, now."

"The Master Sword is gone! It has been gone for a century! I cannot be killed without it!"

"You like the sound of yer own voice, dun'cha?" Linkle smirked and placed her palms upon her hips, then she bent at the waist and glared at him. "I saw'r it in a reflection captured by the Great Fairy. She showed me what'cha did with the sword … you put it in a bed with m' great grandfather, and you bloody-well buried them all."

"Then you know you have no chance against me, and it is out of your reach forever!"

"Oi, reckon I won't be needing it to put you back in the earth, you shitbird ponce."

Ganon let out an evil sounding hiss-like roar. It was eerie and animalistic.

Linkle closed her hands into fists but kept them on her hips. Her brown leather gloves creaked softly. She pursed her lips, then she bent a bit further at the waist, making her next taunt personal. "Oi, you cheeky todger, listen up. I don't need some dodgy red ring or some posh sword to beat you."

"You literally cannot seal me away without it. You're wasting your time."

"That's a load of tosh. Y'know why, mate? A long time ago … like, we're talkin' yonks … one of m' ancestors had the Master Sword taken to a skilled blacksmith to be shored up. Couple'a times, in fact. A century later, his great grandson did the same, but it wasn't strong enough, see? So 'e took that very same Master Sword to Lorule to have it shored up again. Well, the smithy in Lorule kept those bits 'n bobs from reforging the Master Sword. Just scraps of metal shavings hammered off, y'see. And then? I had this brilliant idea after meetin' the Great Fairy. See, I figured … why don't I travel to Lorule? So I did! And wouldn't you know it? I was proper chuffed my idea worked; I got m'hands on those bits. And I had this blinding fop of a blacksmith make somethin' out of it, and I knew … I knew right away this new blade was somethin' special."

"The blade, itself, cannot…"

"Wrong!" Linkle exclaimed. "Listen whilst I demonstrate what I've learnt, yeah?"

"No blacksmith can make a new blade from slag hammered off the original Master Sword!"

Linkle laughed softly. "That boy may dress prettier 'n me, but 'e's no twonk, mate. Listen up: he took those bits and 'e made this with the scrap bits of the Master Sword's reforging, and they were put into this blade, here." She reached for a small dagger on her belt. "Here, mate. You fancy a demonstration? Or, perhaps a demon-stration, yeah?" She drove the dagger into Ganon's chest. "Let's see how yer sodding bloodpump works with Fi's goddess blade bits buried in your ticker!"

Ganon screamed in protest and clutched his chest. His partially formed body began to show immediate signs of rapid decomposition. He looked down at where his flesh turned from ashy to powder. The skin cracked and split; blood congealed in an instant. His clothes became saturated with his blood, but it dried and evaporated away, leaving the bones in his hand unprotected. The joints between the fingers dissolved and his hand, his wrist, and his arm began to fall away. The bones turned to dust as if time, itself, was attacking his body. Ganon looked up at her. His eyes were wide with surprise and concern. "…No."

"Oh, come off it. You needn't be so dramatic. Surely it doesn't hurt that bad." Linkle withdrew her dagger from his body and took three steps back. "A piece of plaster'll mend you up good as new! Say…" She patted herself down followed by a shrug. "Nope. Seem to have left my plasters home, mate."

Ganon's body continued to break down on the spot, coming unglued as if by the seams of his joints and limbs. He took a deep breath and bellowed out his frustration. His body's remains dropped to the ground at Linkle's feet, and his clothes, where the jellied blood had touched the fabric, also turned into what could only be described best as soot.

"By the maker, would'ja look at that. Didn't reckon I'd defeat bloody Ganon when I woke up t'day, that's for sure!" She watched in fascination as the body was rapidly consumed in entropy, until it fully broke down into ashes and other base components. "I figured it'd take at least a fortnight, but this compass sure worked a treat." She lowered to one knee and noticed that the bottom of the remains was wider than the pile at the top, which was flat and neat.

Ganon's dust pile resembled a little pyramid but with the top missing.

Linkle leaned in close to inspect it. "You … turn't y'self into a wee trapezium. Didn't expect that, neither." She squinted at the pile of ash, bits of remaining cloth, and other various bits and bobs.

As an afterthought, she added, "I really need to stop rapin' the Queen's English like some bloody twonk."

The bits of silver arrow that had been ground into shrapnel, which she had packed into the blunderbuss, earlier, lay in the ash pile gleaming with blood – the silvery bits of shrapnel was the only thing in the entire pile that gleamed with wet blood spatter. "That's … a bit queer, innit?" She squinted in the dim lighting of the red sky and sniffed at the pile. She could smell the iron from the blood spatter on the shrapnel pieces. It was the only blood that didn't to turn into rust-colored powder. "How peculiar…" She lifted her head and straightened her back so that she was sitting on her feet.

She tore her gaze from the pile for a moment. The two bolts from her crossbow lay on either side of the ash pile.

She wiped blood and viscera off the blade of her dagger. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She buried it into a small sheath on her belt. Next, she retrieved the two bolts and reloaded both of her crossbows. "Prince of evil, where's your throne? Y' just got ripped right out of it, didn't ya? Out ya get. That throne needs a new arse."

Linkle stood up and stretched. "Still can't wrap my 'ead around how quick tha' 'appened."

She stepped into the powder pile, causing it to lose its shape.

Linkle smirked. "Right, then. Guess you didn't fancy meetin' a hero woman-enough to hunt you down before you finished reformin', didja?" Her soft laughter was like silvery peals of sunshine. "Too right! Took a woman to do the job all the way through!"

And then, without warning, a massive glowing portal opened directly in front of her. She staggard back, watching people emerge from the wormhole.

Her eyes widened. "Hylians…?" She quickly noticed one of them wore a green necktie, which matched the green shade of the other, who wore a tunic somewhat similar to the one she wore. She cut her gaze between the two young men and opened her arms. "Wotcha, lads! I'm Linkle; who the hell are you lot?"

The one with the tie glanced to his blond twin and said, "Maybe we should give her a nickname to keep things easy? L-I-N-N, pronounced Lynn, maybe?"

The other man, wearing the tunic said, "Tis her choice, LJ." He approached Linkle and said, "Heil and well met. I am Link of Calatia. I believe I am your great grandfather."

"Bollocks," she said. "No way I'm believin' that. I'm not some josser; I just sorted the Prince-of-bloody-Thieves – the nastiest bit of work y'ever seen. Not meanin' to be a might churlish, gents, but you show up all unannounced-like, and you start tossin' about a right bold claim."

Link of Calatia arched his brows at her. "Is it, though?"

"Listen here … I bloody-well hope you 'ave proof, because my great grandfather disappeared right where I'm standin'." As an afterthought she turned to LJ and said, "Also, I'll have you know me mum's middle name were Lynn, and so's mine, spelled with a 'y.' Linkle Lynn. You call me as you like; I am fine with what-have-ye." She quickly bounced back to the prior topic. "So, as I said, this is where m' great grandfather disappeared. Right where we stand, mates."

Link looked around then glanced back at Linkle with a firm nod. "Yes. This is the summit of Spectacle Rock." His eyes stopped on her compass. "I can prove it … with that."

"Oh, can ya, now?"

LJ cut into the conversation and hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "Uh, hello? Massive temporal vortex thingy behind us?"

Link reached for her compass but paused. "May I?"

Linkle Lynn eyed Link for a moment. She studied his expression and body language. Finally, she removed the compass and handed it to him. "Go on, then. I know everything about that compass clock."

Link manipulated the winding mechanism and pressed down on it with one hand. With the other, he pressed upward on the bottom of the compass, causing a tiny secret compartment to open on the bottom. He withdrew a small diamond and held it up." I was going to give this to my fiancée. This is where I kept it."

Linkle's eyes sparkled and gleamed with emotion. Tears welled up and slipped down her cheeks.

LJ frowned. "Are … are you crying?"

"Oi, shut up, you," she replied. "I'm a girl, not a bloody statue. I've got feelings, y'know."

LJ held his hands up defensively. "Whoa, whoa, I'm not saying you're not allowed to cry, I just don't understand why you are."

Linkle drew in a slow, calming breath. She held it for a few seconds, then she exhaled just as calmly. Her gaze flitted back to the man that introduced himself as Link of Calatia. "I understand she birthed an illegitimate child shortly after the death of the child's father … a man who was said to be the reincarnation of the hero of time."

Link reached back and rubbed at the nape of his neck. "I've … been called worse things, I suppose."

She lowered her voice, speaking in a measured sort of reverence. "So … um … you, uh … you were going to propose marriage?"

"Once Ganon was defeated, yes. I wanted her to be safe; Ganon hunted down family members of the hero … it was a burden no one should endure, so I kept our love a secret with the intent of taking her hand and heart once Ganon was ash."

"That is … so … bloody … sweet." She took the diamond from him and held it up in the light. "It's … so beautiful. I had no idea this were stored in here; I never heard it clatter about." After taking a moment to look through it, she passed the diamond back to Link. "May I keep the compass?"

"Aye, you may," he replied with a firm nod. "And the diamond goes with it. I will find it in my time when I return."

Linkle shook her head. "Please … don't."

Link blinked.

LJ blinked.

"If you're really m' great grandfather, traveling through time, using the ancient Gates of Time, then … if you go back … I may cease to exist, mate."

LJ frowned. "But if you're directly descended from Link's son, you'll still exist."

Linkle frowned. "But would I be the same as I am, now? Or would changing time turn me into some … I'dunno … a silly chicken shepherd like my namesake? Goddess only knows. Perhaps we'll discuss it at length later, then, yeah?"

Link nodded. "Thank you."

LJ shrugged. "Easy fix. Link, when she is a young age, show up while she is with her mom at the market, plant the seed of heroism. Show back up when she is a preteen, make sure she is on the right path, then come back a year before now and make sure she is learning how to fight. If anything happened differently, teach her. Not complicated. Just sayin'."

Linkle eyed the one who had been called LJ, earlier. "You yammer a might queer, mate."

LJ blinked at her. "What does the LGBTQ have to do with this?"

"The L …B …T … what?" She cut her gaze to Link. "What brings you lot here, anyhow, gents?"

"We want you to come with us." Link turned to LJ with a wry smirk. "She said you speak most strangely." Link cut his gaze back to Linkle, adding, "We will return you to your time when Ganon has met his fate."

"Oi, I just bloody defeated him! Oh, right, Gates of Time. So … when does he return?"

LJ replied, "In my time. The year 2050. We're putting together an all-star team to fight him, or at least hold him back while we put a plan into place … but the ultimate plan is to seal that son of a bitch away for the next ten thousand years. Come to the future with us and help us fight him. Please?"

Linkle shook her head with a soft sigh. "Put the bloody preposition in front of the verb, yeah? You want to seal away the son of a bitch, then, yeah?"

LJ nodded in reply.

Linkle returned the diamond to its hiding spot within her compass, put the chain back over her head, and gestured with her hand forward, palm up. "So … the Gates of bloody Time are real after all. I can-naut wait to see the future."

Link said, "They are quite advanced in their technology."

Linkle's smile broadened. "I bet the blunderbuss of the future will be amazin'! Let's go 'n see." She paused for dramatic effect, smiled, and then added, "After all, I want to see that you're telling me the truth, gents."

Link turned to LJ with a slight smile. "I hope all of our ilk are this easy to convince."

"Are you kidding?" LJ replied with a pleased expression. "We have all the time in the world; we have a frickin' time machine! Like, this is the stuff of science fiction fantasy. If we wanted, we could go back so far we could see if Ganon told you the truth about the so-called pre-ancients."

Link grimaced. "I read about the Gates of Time in the ancient tomes when I was given access to the Royal Library. As I understand it, a user should only go to times where the Gates of Time exist and are operational. In this time, it exists beneath the Temple of Time's remains, directly beneath the Master Sword's pedestal. That is why the portal is staying open. If we travel back further than the time in which Hylia creates the machine, we become trapped in that time."

LJ grimaced in return, mirroring the expression on Link's face. "I missed where someone explained that. Sorry. I'm supposed to be a little bit advanced for my age, but I still have moments where I become distracted. So do we have to go and find the gate in this time period?"

"No. It simply must exist in the time period in which we wish to travel. It maintains the gate's … eh … what did Zelda call it? An event something…?"

"Oh, got it. The gate in this time period simply has to exist in this time period in order to keep the event horizon stable in this period. It keeps both ends of the wormhole stable." LJ pointed to the distorted glowing circle nearby. "So, we can just walk back the way we came, easy as that, huh? I'll do better about staying fully engaged next time something is explained to us. It's just … the concept of moving through time was such a mind-blowing thing because my generation grew up on that fantasy."

"Apparently it was never a 'fantasy.' I'm not sure how the gate allows us back through, if it is constructed of what the Princess referred to as 'energy and gravity.' But yes, we simply return back through it before it closes."

"There's probably some sort of quantum entanglement device that allows us to return to our starting point each time. Or maybe some ancient programing in whatever runs the gate that opened its way to this time period, over in 2050, which tells its counterpart in this time period to allow us to return to that period. We can't go to any time from this point, we have to return to the home period time, then reset the controls, I assume."

"It sounds as though you know quite a bit more about this matter than I."

"Sci-Fi has a ton of theories."

Link shrugged his shoulders and simply said, "If you say so."

LJ grinned. "I love that you're getting the hang of our syntax and grammar." He turned to Linkle, adding, "I bet you cannae wait to see our version of the blunderbuss."

Linkle gave both boys a push on their backs. "Oi! Quit'cher yammerin'. Let's go see this future you promised me, yeah?" She scoffed at LJ, adding, "Also, I don't bloody-well say 'cannae' or 'dunnae' or any of that shite." Then, as an afterthought, she asked, "Are there flying horseless carriages?"

LJ grinned a bit. "Not yet, but we're working on it."

Linkle pursed her lips. "Well, come on then. Let's go see the bloody horseless-carriage-that-'cannae'-yet-fly. Disappointing, but I suppose I'll live."

"We have teleporters, though," said LJ.

"Wha's that?"

"Oh, you'll see. Way faster than a flying car." LJ stepped through first.

Linkle and Link stepped through the gate together.

The swirl of colors and brief glint of the cosmos presented to the trio was but a fleeting look at the vastness of the universe. Albeit one that lasted only seconds. Long enough to leave an impression, but too short to enjoy.

The trio emerged from a large circular gear built into a granite wall, surrounded by scaffolding, large bundles of wires, and computers networked together. All the equipment was set up in front of the enormous, circled gate from which they emerged.

Linkle looked around the large subterranean room. "By the goddess, look at all this! You've got posh lookin' types with posh lookin' gadgets o'r here! You've some dandy fops on this side lookin' all tickety-boo…" She approached one handsomely dressed young man right away, adding, "Let's have a shufti at you, now, then. Oh. Oh, yes. The future's a treat on the eyes, it is. Those are the whitest bloody teeth I've ever seen. Oi, mate, if you fancy a pint later, we can make it as quick as you like, or we can tarry about between rounds. You be the lead stallion, and I'll enjoy being on yer tab."

The royal guard cleared his throat and offered her a polite nod. "Ma'am."

LJ cringed, understanding some of the words, but mostly all of her insinuation. "Lynn, relax. We still have to find more family members." LJ withdrew his phone, unfolded it, so that it was tablet sized, and connected to the local Wi-Fi. Then he punched in her name and looked her up as the group made their way across the large room.

Linkle laughed and turned from the soldier, facing Link and LJ. "Ma'am, he says! What a gentleman, heh."

Link eyed Linkle and said, "You're taking this in stride."

"Too right. This is a hoot. I wanna see all'a the fancy new things. Like, LJ … that were his name, yeah? What's he holdin'?"

Link shrugged. "Some sort of device that allows people to communicate with one another, divine and cognize information, and … watch videos of cats. Apparently, such is verypopular in this time period. I believe he calls it a Sheikah Slate."

"Cats, eh? I'm startin' to like the sound of the future even more."

LJ turned around and walked backward so that he could face Link and Linkle. "Okay, all we have recorded in history on a 'Linkle' is a bird farmer from Hyrule. It says she thought she was the chosen one. She did show up when the castle was under attack at one point, but she doesn't look like you … she dressed like you, though. Right down to the crossbows. She fought alongside the chosen hero of Zelda, helped to win the day at the time, and was recognized by the Princess for volunteering to fight for Hyrule. She won the highest civilian award available at the time and was known for having a very bad sense of direction, so, like you, she wore a compass. But it looks different than yours. Also, it says she spoke in a very normal Hylian manner, which proved she was a commoner. She survived, went on to have a son, who had a daughter, and … I think she's your ancestor."

Linkle shrugged her shoulders. "My parents raised me outside of Hyrule. When I was a wee lass, I got into the family treasures and learned about our blood. I returned to Hyrule at sixteen. I started raising cuckoos to make a living. I guess history repeats itself, but … my common tongue ain't very Hyrule-common."

LJ turned to Link. "Did Zelda make a mistake?"

Link shook his head. "We arrived in time to see her standing over Ganon's felled form. ThisLinkle is the one for our team."

"Bet'cher arse," Linkle exclaimed.

LJ folded up his tablet and put it back into his pocket. "All right. Let's introduce you to the King and Princess, and then look through the information available that will help us determine the next ancestor to add to our army."

Link asked, "With all this technology, do you think Hyrule will create something to keep Ganon trapped forever?"

LJ shrugged. "I heard Zelda wanted some time, later, to try and create something from hybrid tech … old and new technology … something that will stand the test of time. My suggestion, by the way. She called it 'project guardian,' and hopes to manufacture a mechanical army that can be used to overwhelm Ganon, but she said it won't be ready for a while… however, the 'Link Army' is needed now. So … let's head back to the leadership bunker so we can determine our next move."

Linkle nodded firmly. "Alright then. Let's get this sorted, then I want a drink with that security lookin' chap, there. He is security, yeah? He's got a utility belt full of gadgets that the swots, eggheads, and the boffins seem to lack. And, oi, look at them arms, yeah?"

LJ cringed. "Err, yeah. Yeah, he's here for security."

Linkle smirked. "I'm feelin' 'safer' already."

Link furrowed his brows at her. "Pray thee tell, Linkle, in what manner do you feel safe?" He gestured to her, himself, and LJ, adding, "This triumvirate of our bloodline? Tis the only reason this room is truly secured…" He moved closer to her and, in a softer tone, discretely said, "You are ten times the warrior that man could ever hope to be."

Linkle shrugged. "He's still good stock, mate. I'm not some todger-dodger. I may not be the classiest lass, but look at me, mate – I'm in the future, not more'n half passed an hour after strikin' down Ganon and turnin' 'im to ash. By my accounts, I'm the hero of fookin' time, reborn, and I just can't be arsed with bein' prim nor proper. And…! If I wanna sidle up to a handsome gent who took longer than five bloody minutes to put himself together, then I will. But, oi, dun' worry. I know how ta be polite 'round royalty."

Link exhaled. "I do hope so. However…"

"However … wha'? Bloody hell, a cat may look on a king, y'know!"

Link licked his lips with a slight frown. "However, if we are to meet LJ's younger sister, do also please try to be considerate."

"Oh. I see, now. If by considerate y'mean you want me to put on airs, I can mos' certainly do that. Don't want the wee lass turnin' out like me, after all. At least not on my account. Heh."

LJ cleared his throat.

The group became quiet. Everyone turned to face LJ.

He gestured to an approaching man, slightly large in the torso with broad shoulders, wearing a bowtie and a vest overtop of a button-up dress shirt. LJ said, "Linkle, this is Dr. Bagu Tantari, like the desert, PhD."

Bagu Tantari nodded to Link, waved to LJ, and offered a very slight bow to Linkle.

LJ turned his head to the approaching man and addressed the doctor. "Doc! It was a complete success! We found the lost hero. She's not a myth, and yes … your theory was right: she really is a she."

Bagu held his hands open. "Oh, thank goodness. I would write a dissertation on this if I could!"

LJ scrunched his brows. "If you … could? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Gustaf has issued a royal decree that everything involving this project is to be kept absolutely silent."

LJ blinked. "Wait, what? Like, classified? Why? So that Ganon doesn't hear about it?"

Bagu chuckled nervously. "That's … more of a side effect of the order, LJ."

LJ tilted his head. "Look, I might be young, but I'm not an…"

Bagu lifted his hand to stop LJ, and interjected, "Son, I know you're not an 'idiot.' You have a book out and I bought it. Furthermore, it's likely to wind up on the best seller's list soon, and you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor if we survive this enormous mess. I would wager that you can make a living off it and quit your day job, whatever that might be. My point is, I'm not trying to treat you like an idiot, son."

"So, uh, there's a royal gag order?"

"There is. The 'gag order,' as you've so eloquently named it, is a nondisclosure agreement that all these soldiers and technicians had to sign by royal decree. Myself included. Gustaf is worried that by making this affair a historically recorded fact, it will have an outcome on the entire timeline that we, as a group, are quite possibly disrupting."

LJ blinked. "Okay, now that is some forethought."

Bagu continued. "Therefore, Zelda's 'Project Time Gate' does not exist outside of this room. And the actions of your ancestors in our time? Things of that nature are being disavowed. Everything you say, everything we do; this entire project never happened. Everything that happens going forward? It will never be recorded." Bagu kept his eyes on LJ but side-nodded at Link and Linkle. "Whatever they do, LJ, is completely on you, son. You are completely liable."

LJ frowned. "Okay, so if they break a window, I get the bill."

"That's … a tame way of putting it, yes."

LJ replied with a firm nod. "Okay. I get it. Keep a tight leash."

Bagu nodded firmly. "Please do."

"You know, Doc, the other day … I was scoffing at you for believing in the mythology … and now I've gone through time and met two possible ancestors, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe you were right about the possibility of, y'know…"

"Oh, that's something else," Bagu interrupted. "The full panel of the DNA test results are back for you and Link." Bagu checked his vest and found an envelope inside one of the pockets. He passed it to LJ. "Go on, I'm sure we all already know the answer by now but…" he trailed off.

"Old fashion paper? How quaint." LJ took the envelope, opened it, and read the printed sheet. "Oh. Wow, okay. DNA doesn't lie." He continued reading what was printed on the page then he folded it up and put it into his pocket. He turned to Link and offered a hand. "So, we did the cheek swab the other day and it said we were definitely related but it was a really small percentage. But now the full results are in and it confirmed … that I'm your direct descendant. Meaning … when Ganon tried to put you into stasis to take both you and the Master Sword 'out of play,' he had no idea he was sealing his own fate down the road. You know, when all of this is done, we're going to have to put you back into your own timeline."

Linkle frowned. "I know I'm just muscle … pick stuff up, put stuff down, do a task, all while brightening up the joint … but I'm not some moppet. If what all you're sayin' is true … then if y' put my great grandfather back into his time, it changes everythin' for me. My family dun leave Hyrule to begin with. My family raises me different-like. I might not even be prepared to beat Ganon in my time. I might be caught by surprise."

Bagu frowned. "I suppose that's a possibility depending on whether or not time is loopy or stringy, ma'am, but, uh…"

Linkle eyed Bagu with scrunched brows. "Not sure what tha' supposed to mean, but I like my life the way it is."

Bagu's eyes dropped a bit. "Well, your actions are established … so by returning Link to his time, we might be creating a multi-verse fork where things play out differently in two possibilities – yours and a doppelgänger of yours, but we'd have to return you to your time before doing so and watch to see. However, if time doesn't function that way, then … yes, it's a possibility that you could change."

"You're speakin' a might queer, mate."

Bagu sighed. "Don't use that term anymore, the meaning has changed to become offensive toward a small fraction of the population."

"Just speak plainly, then, yeah?"

"All right. Simply by returning Link to his time, it may be possible that you will change, whether before our eyes or when you are in your own time is the major question there. It could also mean that there are two timelines, and whether yours is accessible to our Gate of Time after we make any changes, meaning we should drop you off before we return Link to his timeline, just in case. See, the thing is, we've never had the ability to perform experiments on time before now. So … there is no telling whether or not time is loopy or stringy."

Linkle reached up and rubbed her temples. "By Hylia's blood, don't return him. Let's notfind out." She cut her gaze to Link, adding, "No offense, mate," then looked back at Bagu, and continued. "What if you put him back, it changes me, and I cannot bloody help you, even though I'm here helping you, and then what? Do I disappear? Do you forget I existed? Will you show up just in time to see Ganon strike me down? Does the bloody world blow-the-fook-up?"

"That's called a paradox," said Bagu. "I'm not an expert on time travel, but I know enough theory to suggest possible answers to a few questions. However, let's not focus on that right now. Let's try and gather a little more help and determine our option from that point. At least two more Links should be enough, Zelda surmises, and then we can attack Ganon: five against one."

LJ rubbed his chin in thought. "We can't all wield the Master Sword. The next question should be … do we create vehicles capable of steamrolling Ganon?"

A woman replied from nearby. "That's the plan." The voice belonged to Zelda Daltus.

Soldiers in their posts stiffened.

Bagu turned to face her.

LJ, Linkle, and Link exchanged glances, then pivoted to face her.

Zelda, wearing a flowing dress of white and lavender with pink and gold highlights, approached the group. "You all bring up excellent concerns. But, first, let me address LJ … project Divine Beast is about creating enormous tanks for each hero to pilot. For the record, I am partial to animal themes based on the region that each pilot will protect, but I cannot decide what should be created for you, LJ. The Wolf is the divine beast … perhaps the wolf would be apropos. Or, hmm, perhaps your vehicle should be something … mm, personal to you. It needs to be smaller than the other Divince Beasts, though … so that you can be with me on the battlefield, handling Ganon directly."

LJ blinked. "What's the endgame?"

Zelda said, "We will seal him away with the power of the chosen ones. We will pin him down and, with the power of the five, you will all strike him down and Link, the last man to wield the Master Sword, shall accompany LJ in burying the Goddess Blade in his chest. Research and Development is working on a way to create a quantum entanglement bracelet … think of it as a Bluetooth wearable if you want … it might even be a device in the cockpit … either way it will draw energy from all five heroes, transfer it to the blade, and empower the Master Sword, amplifying its ability to strike down Ganon in a way he will never forget, with the energy of all five heroes being used to deliver the final blow."

LJ rubbed his forehead. "Did I hear you say that you want to be on the battlefield for this?"

Link said, "She must needs go that the devil drives."

LJ furrowed his brows at Link. "What…?"

Linkle translated, "Needs must when the devil drives, mate."

LJ blinked at Linkle. "I have no idea what that even means." He turned back to Zelda and said, "The General doesn't take point or lead the charge, no offense."

"Unfortuately, your friends are correct, LJ – I have no choice; I must seal his energy using my own, and that must be done from the battlefield. But I will not be alone."

LJ tilted his head. "Meaning what? You'll reach out to five Zeldas from throughout time?"

"One supposes that could be a possibility, but I doubt it will be required. I am fully capable of sealing Ganon away with the might of a Link Army at my back. The strength of the hero, in times' past, has determined how long Ganon has slept before being reincarnated. But with all five of your ilk we should put him away until his myth is truly forgotten. Only the Royal Family will pass down the truth about his existence, so that if, one day in the distant future, he manages to return to the land of the living … they will be able to dig up the vehicles and utilize the knowledge to defeat him once again."

Linkle elbowed LJ and cleared her throat softly.

LJ gestured to Linkle. "Linkle Lynn, this is Zelda Daltus, princess of Hyrule in 2050. Princess and apparent military General of the fleet. And any time now, she will be officially made Queen of Hyrule."

Linkle curtsied with a half-bow. "Your Grace."

Zelda flashed a slight smile at LJ, then she said, "Too late. I was just crowned queen while the two of you were on your mission to find Linkle, here." Zelda cut her gaze back to Linkle. She performed a proper royal curtsy.

"Queen Zelda, then," said LJ. "My mistake. Congrats. I'm sorry for the crap that happened leading to it, though." LJ quickly veered from the awkward topic and asked, "So, uh, what's our next move, boss?"

Zelda offered an expression of amusement. She cut her gaze back to LJ and said, "Boss, hmm? All right … we need two more Links from the ages."

LJ rubbed his palms together. "Then let's get crackin'."

Link shook his head at LJ. "You speak so peculiarly."

Zelda flashed a quick grin at LJ, then she cut her gaze over to Link again. "He does, doesn't he, Sir Link?" She turned back to LJ. "You're the writer, you have the biggest imagination … so I'd like to include you in a thinktank group."

"For what?"

"I can fill you in at the next group meet."

LJ shrugged. "Just run it by me. Maybe I'll think of something right off the bat."

"Very well, LJ. My current conundrum is thus: your idea of utilizing five Zeldas is already on our white board, even though I am not sure I wish to attempt it. However, if we do take four Zeldas from their timelines, and one of them were to die, it could catastrophically cripple the timeline, or perhaps … collapse it. There is no way of truly knowing the risks we are taking. Having said that, taking lesser-known heroes from their timelines is one thing, but four Zeldas? So, I need ideas on how to make them present without being endangered."

LJ snapped his fingers. "You already have a solve for that."

"Do I?"

"Yeah! Er, I mean … yes. Yes, you do. A quantum entanglement device, just like the one that you'll use to tie your Link Army's energy to the handle of the Master Sword. We figure out how to make bracelets that four Zeldas will choose to wear throughout their time, which draw energy from them and send it through the Gate of Time without these Zeldas ever knowing it."

Zelda smiled brightly. "Genius!" She approached LJ and firmly pressed her pillow-soft lips against his face, right at the corner of his lips.

LJ's cheeks tightened until he became flush in the face. "I, uh … um, but like you said, sealing power is different than hero-strike power, so, um … you may not even need to consider that route."

"Thank you, LJ." She turned on her heels and headed out of the subterranean room. "Get some rest. The next mission is tomorrow. If you'll please excuse me…" She walked away and made a phone call on her Sheikah Slate in its phone mode.

Link approached LJ and spoke to him in hushed tones. "I do believe your sister was correct in her summation that there is a chemistry between yourself and the prin—er, the queen."

LJ cleared his throat but offered no other form of response.

"I meant no disrespect, LJ."

Linkle held her hands outward. "Oi, you lot! Someone answer me this, then, yeah? If I'm here, what happens to my Cuccos in the past? Do we create a world where they starve and die while I'm here?"

One of Zelda's nearby guards, a dark-skinned woman, turned to LJ and said, "Blondie, you went through time for a Zewakasha Kukozelia?"

LJ scrunched his face at the female guard. "Be nice, Ovona. She might be a 'ginger Cucco girl,' but she was the only woman and the last known person to have defeated Ganon in the past … but no one recorded her history of it. Maybe because she beat Ganon before he was fully formed, but likely because she wasn't a male."

Ovona shook her head. "Okay. That is unfortunate. It's one of the reasons voe are not allowed in the capital … men have fragile egos and when history is not bent to their whim, they can become aggressive."

Zelda thumbed the screen of her phone, followed by a soft sigh. She pivoted gracefully on her heel and turned back to the group. "My apologies."

Ovona turned back to Zelda and said, "Your highness, you must return to your post-coronation ceremony."

Zelda huffed with indignation. "They need to understand that I am busy running a nation, coordinating a search for my missing mother, and stopping a terrorist madman of mythological proportions."

Ovona moved closer to Zelda and said, "You asked for me to be firm with you after Mr. Kasuto suggested I attend you as a personal guard. And I appreciate this role. So please hear me out: you need to attend this ceremony. It is how you will make political supporters … and you will need to network such connections in order to call-in political favors."

"Ovona…"

"Your highness, please … you must network with people as a politician to gain financial support for the endeavors of your administration. Do not think of this as 'schmoozing,' but, rather, as a chance to gain more funding for Project Divine Beast. And in time, we will have a mechanical camel walking across Gerudo Valley."

Zelda sighed as if in defeat. "All right. You're right. Thank you, Ovona. I … supposed I should finish my conversation with the King of the Zora. Let's go and find him, again." She glanced back at Link, LJ, and Linkle. "Start working on finding the next member of your team by researching the archives. I will join you when I've finished my … political cavorting."

Ovona escorted Zelda from the room.

The ensuing awkward silence was short-lived.

LJ grinned with a satisfied look on his face. "I got Ovona that job. You can tell she loves it. I did good." He nodded firmly.

Linkle said, "And you got a kiss from yer queen. And did you see her hands? Not a ring in sight, mate. Not my place to suggest it, but … just stating the obvious."

"Stop shipping us," said LJ dryly. As an afterthought, he said, "What the hell is a Zora?'

Link and Linkle blinked, exchanging glances. Link said, "The king of the fish folk. How can you not know who they are?"

"Fish folk?" LJ eyed Link for a moment. "Are you messing with me?"

"You have no knowledge of the Zora in this present?" asked Link.

"I have the internet, and I've never heard of them, so … what's a Zora?"

Linkle said, "It appears the Royal Family's keeping them from ya, mate. If she's goin' to meet with them, and you've never heard of them, tha's just bloody bizarre. Outlandishly so, even."

LJ waved his hands dismissively. "Maybe it's just a small kingdom in another nation. Look, whatever. I'm not going to over-analyze that. Let's stay on track. Okay, you guys saw Zelda now that she's official. Thoughts?"

Link frowned thoughtfully and, in a reverent tone, said, "The newly-crown queen must find time to mourn her mother state of disappearance, as well as her father's death. I fear she is over-focusing on the here-and-the-now so as to repress her emotions … her grief. It's important, nay, it's healthy for a woman to cry to process loss."

Linkle furrowed her brows at Link and said, "Oi, you daft wanker. It's healthy for anyone to cry to process loss."

Link frowned. "Men do not cry."

"You ought to, mate. We women just cry more than men because we are more … emotionally healthy and in touch with our feelings."

Link replied, "Some in my time would suggest that women's emotions cause hysteria."

Linkle scoffed. "Bloody 'hysteria.' Oi. That term was created to be sexist. However, my era wasn't much better. I have high hopes for this one." She turned to face LJ. "So, do ya cry, mate? It's okay to admit it. We're all apparently family, here, yeah?"

LJ shrugged. "Nothing wrong with a single man-tear every now and then. I cried when I first had a chance to really sit down and appreciate the Master Sword. It was just that beautiful."

Both Linkle and Link shook their heads with a soft chuckle. The trio headed out of the Cave of Time together.

LJ said, "So, thoughts on who we should visit next?"

Link and Linkle shook their heads collectively.

LJ rubbed his chin in thought. Then he announced, "No one tell my sister that Zelda kissed me."

"You mean again," said Link.

"Ah shaddup."

Linkle snickered softly. "Oi, you've got it bad for her, don't'cha, mate?"

"Both of you shaddaup."

Link and Linkle chuckled softly while exchanging glances and grins.

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Author's Note: Hi! It's 2020. I've touched up the first six chapters. Thoughts? Anyone still reading this story? Any new readers? Thoughts? Suggestions? Complaints? FLAMES? Let me know! Lmao