A/N: Dawn of the Final Day...


"Draw four."

"How, in the name of -"

"Would you change it to green, please?" Mipha asked innocently.

"You can't just-"

"Green."

"My, she really does have you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she?" Urbosa smirked as she drew a card.

"Gotta say, Little Guy, you could take it easier on Revali."

"What color do you need, Revali?"

"I don't want you to…" The Rito trailed off, looking genuinely confused as to how he was supposed to politely decline the offer.

"That's very sweet of you, Medli," Urbosa responded with a warm smile. "If the offer is still open, yellow would be wonderful."

"Umm…"

Zelda watched all of this from over her hand, a sad smile marring her features. Despite all that had happened, the last month had been one of the greatest joys she could recall in a long time. The Champions had spent it with her, recovering from their long journey within the rooms that had survived the Calamity. Though they had each taken turns to help begin the process of restoration, Zelda had not once allowed them to contribute more than a few hours a day. She knew that they had needed rest as badly as she had.

"Little Bird, it's your turn."

"Ah, of course." The Princess played a card from her hand, only paying enough attention to make sure it was a viable card.

"Is everything all right, Princess?"

Everyone was no longer paying attention to their game, with all eyes focused on her. "Yes."

Urbosa collapsed her cards, setting them face down as she leaned forward and gazed at her intently. Behind her, Daruk was stroking his beard while the two couples watched silently, their eyes flicking between the two eldest Champions and Zelda.

Knowing that she was now cornered, Zelda set her own cards down and folded her hands on the table. "For months, we traveled Hyrule together, learning and growing as we tried to prevent Hyrule's destruction. I watched over you all while you slept in the Shrine of Resurrection and I was with you while you reclaimed the Divine Beasts… and now…" The Princess of Hyrule took a moment to collect herself. Though she was among friends and none of them would allow this conversation to leave the room, she still felt the need to remain as strong as possible.

Perhaps she was more like her father than she thought.

"And now, it's over," she said hollowly. "Tomorrow, we will each be heading our separate ways and who can say when we will have the opportunity to meet like this again."

No one said anything as they all exchanged glances among themselves. Silent conversations happened all around her, with tilted heads, frowns, a snort or two, and finally, determined nods.

"I suppose now is the best time to tell you that Daruk and I will be staying here," Urbosa stated as she sat back in her chair. "If we were to return to our homelands, it would only cause confusion and tension. Besides, it would probably be good for our peoples to have representatives here with the future queen."

"Yeah. Besides, rebuildin' is too much fer one person to handle, even fer someone as strong as ya."

"Thank you…" She had been completely unaware of the elder Champions' decision but she was grateful beyond what words could express. She had expected them to return to their homelands to see to their own people first.

"If I may," Mipha said, drawing attention to herself and Link. "Link and I… well… we have decided that it may be best if I were to abdicate the throne." The Hylian Champion watched the Zora Princess silently. Mipha took a deep breath before continuing. "We will be returning to the Domain, but I believe my father will have us act as ambassadors to the rest of Hyrule. That was to be Sidon's role originally but with everything that has happened, this may be the most appropriate course of action."

Revali leaned back folding his wings as he looked at her with a single eye. "You didn't forget that we can fly, did you?"

"No," Zelda chuckled lightly. "I don't think you would ever let anyone forget."

The Rito Champion snorted. "Of course not. We plan to return to the Rito Village but I suppose it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to visit from time to time to check on you. Heaven knows the rest of you can barely look after yourself."

"Didn't you get shot down by the Divine Beast you were supposed to pilot, Feathers?"

He glared daggers at the Gerudo, who snickered quietly before turning back to Zelda. "Little Bird, tomorrow will be a goodbye but know that it won't be forever. Even if we're not all together, remember that we'll be here for you whenever you need us."

All of her friends nodded resolutely.

"Thank you… all of you."

"Of course. Now, let's enjoy these last few hours and leave our goodbyes until the morning."

"You are right, as always."

Urbosa smiled as she picked her cards back up. "Now, where were we?"

"It was my turn," Medli answered.

"Oh, right. You were just about to change the color to yellow if memory serves."

"Red would be better," Revali grumbled.

"Oh, hush up, Feathers. We both know you'll be drawing four cards again in a few seconds."

Revali growled something under his breath as Link smiled wolfishly at him.

Zelda smiled, feeling a bit better about the whole thing. Yes, this was goodbye but only for a moment. They would all be back together soon enough, ready to pick up where they had left off, just as they had done after finally defeating Ganon.


A/N: This was supposed to be Revali mastering his gale and instead you ended on Rituno. No complaints.