Z z (◡ ‿ ◡ ✿)
Sky wakes up in a bed.
This, he feels, is normal.
Not normal is his lack of any kind of knowledge.
The girl who greets him is called Marin.
Marin lives on an island.
This makes Sky feel happy.
Sky thinks he likes islands.
Then he steps outside.
Sky: "You're island fell."
Marin: "What?"
Sky: points upward. "You're island… it's not in the sky."
Marin: giggles, "No silly. Islands aren't in the clouds, they're in the ocean."
Oh...
Of course land doesn't float in the sky.
Silly him.
Sky finds a sword on the beach.
Sky: "Hi!"
The sword does not reply.
Sky: "You must be my sword. I don't remember you though. Sorry. I kind of have amnesia. Anyway, mind telling me your name?"
The sword still does not reply.
Sky: "Guess you're shy. That's okay."
An owl tells Sky he needs to wake the Wind Fish.
Sky: "Why would I do that?"
Owl: "You can't leave the island unless you wake the Wind Fish."
Sky has no intention of waking any fishes.
Naps are important.
Sky finds something pretty and new on the beach.
Marin giggles when he shows her his new discovery.
She says they are called seashells.
Sky starts a seashell collection.
Night comes and Sky goes to sleep in the closest bed.
"EEEEP!"
Sky gets kicked out of the bed by a goat named Christine.
Schule Donavitch the crocodile is more polite about it.
But he also won't let Sky sleep in his bed.
By the third day the owl shows up again.
Owl: "Lad, didn't you hear me say go north to the Mysterious Forest? I've been waiting there for two days."
Sky: "Oh sorry. I decided not to go."
Owl: "Why? Don't you want to wake the Wind Fish?"
Sky: "No."
Owl: "But don't you want to get off this island?"
Sky: "No."
Day four.
The owl tries again to get Sky to wake the Wind Fish.
Doesn't work.
Besides, Link is too busy trying to rescue MeowMeow from some monsters.
Day five.
The owl comes again.
Sky finally agrees.
But only to exploring the Mysterious Forest.
… And maybe one dungeon.
Sky gets a large guitar!
He immediately goes to show Marin.
Marin calls it a cello.
She teaches him how to play it.
Marin: "You play wonderfully, Link. What song were you playing? I've never heard it before."
Sky cannot remember.
This greatly distressed him.
Because the song he played is important.
It means a lot to him.
Marin tries to comfort him
Marin: "I'm sure it will come to you later. Oh! I know! We should put on a concert for the whole island!"
They do.
Everyone loves it.
Accept the grumpy owl.
The owl is very frustrated.
And grumpy.
But you already knew that.
The owl comes up with a sneaky plan.
Owl: "Lad, there are many different instruments hidden all around the Island. If you'd like, I could help you find them?"
Sky agrees easily.
He likes music.
There's a lot of angry faced fireballs in this dungeon
They keep chasing him.
It's okay though, because he finds treasure!
It's a power bracelet.
Which is useless.
It only helps you pick up pots and rocks.
But Sky can do that just fine on his own.
(I mean, what kind of hero can't pick up pots?)
(Ridiculous)
Sky gets a conch horn!
He goes to show Marin.
But when he plays it for her something happens.
The sound fills Sky with dread.
Flashback:
It's hot and dark. The very air seems to suck the water out of him. What water he still has is pumped into his blood by a heart too frantic with fear. There is a sense of danger all around him, keeping him tense. He has no sword in his hand, no shield at his back.
Every move he makes seems to stretch a bruise or open a cut to the stinging air. Raw chafe marks and blisters skin incircle Sky's wrists where rope once bound them together.
Sky is trying to sneak about craggy places. In some places he struggles to see, dark passages all but blinding him. Blistered and calloused hands feel along the scorching volcanic rock of the cave, before it suddenly disappears and he stumbles into the light.
Hot boiling flow of lava opens up before him where earth crumbles away. It blinds him momentarily with burning light and choking him on thick fumes of smoke. Sky stumbles back, quick to catch himself before he could fall into the deadly river.
Suddenly a new sense assaults him. A high pitched screech has Sky twisting around fast as a whip. A bokoblin stands further up the way, glaring beady eyes within a bulbous head stare straight at him.
He's been spotted.
The bokoblin grabs a horn by its side and begins blowing into the instrument. Long, hollow blasts assault Sky's pointed ears, but he is already turned away from the blast.
Running full sprint away, Sky lungs struggle to keep up with his fast past. But it must, for behind him already he can hear the many answering cries of more bokoblins answering the call.
The horn call continues to ring in his ears. The hunt has begun.
Sky comes out of the memory trembling.
He doesn't think he likes his memories.
He also doesn't like the horn.
Maybe… maybe it would be better if he didn't get any more instruments.
A day passes.
A guy named Fisherman teaches Sky how to fish.
Sky sees a bottle at the bottom of the fishing pond.
He dives in to get it.
Fisherman: "HEY! No swimming in the fishpond! What are you, a simpleton?"
Sky does appreciate being called a simpleton.
He still apologies.
Because he's polite like that.
Another day ends.
Sky finds a Seashell Mansion.
The spirit there asks him for his shells.
Sky really, really doesn't want to give up his seashells.
But an ultimate sword sounds kind of nice.
The sword he has now still won't talk to him.
In the end, Sky keeps his shells.
A day rises again.
The owl has had enough.
The moment Sky walks outside of Marin's door-
He gets tackled by a ball of angry feathers.
Bird wing slap style!
Sky: "No."
Owl: "You must!"
Sky: "Look, I know you were just showing me where the instruments were to reach your goal of waking the Wind Fish. But I don't want to leave this Island, and I don't want to recover anymore of my memories. I'm happy, so leave me alone."
The owl gives up.
Marin makes Sky a pretty flower crown.
Sky makes Marin a sloppy flower crown.
They both wear their flower crowns with pride.
Marin: "If I was a seagull, I would fly as far as I could! I would fly to far away places and sing for many people."
Sky looks at her in that moment.
And for a second he thinks he glimpses something- someone else.
Sky: "I know how you feel… Everytime I look up into the sky and see the clouds or feel a birds shadow pass over me… I want to fly too."
Sky tells the owl he'll do the quest.
So Marin can live her dream.
The bombs here are evil.
They literally chase him.
It's frightening.
Sky has the hardest time getting some dodongo snakes to eat bombs.
It's like they know it's bad for them or something.
It's worth it at least.
Because he gets Pegasus Boots.
Pegasus Boots are the BEST!
He can go so fast!
And barely break a sweat.
Sky is never taking these off.
Sky gets the next instrument.
It's a pretty bell.
He rings it.
Chime
Flashback:
Sky wrenches himself away from the magic circel, choking on a scream. His hands fly to his side to staunch the bleeding, even though he knows it's useless. The blade had cut right through him. The unearthly weapon crushed his chainmail, tore into his flesh, severed his spinal cord. There's no way he can survive such a blow.
But when his arms reach up, they feel nothing but the weave of his tunic, loops of unbroken chain below that, and the solid form of his side beneath it all.
There is no wound. He's not bleeding.
"Master," a familiar metallic voice speaks.
Sky's head snaps toward the voice, his frantic gaze landing on the form floating in front of him. A face looked to be carved in smooth marble stares back at him. It is gentle and soft in make, yet placid in expression. The spirit sword is made of smooth blue and garbed in rippling purple.
"Your heart beats are unsyncopated, and your blood pressure is high." The spirit says in a tone neither agreeable or disagreeable. "I suggest you slow your breathing pattern."
"Fi," Sky gasps, his voice shaky. "Fi, it got me. Th-the guardian got me. It sliced me in half! I f-felt it!"
"It is alright Master." The spirit, Fi, says. "It was merely your spirit which traveled to the Sacred Realm. Your body was here the whole time, safe and unharmed."
Sky wants to argue, to shout. No. No it's not okay. He knows it wasn't real.
But it felt real.
Sky curls up, biting on his tongue to keep the fear and anger in. He's always been good at that, keeping silent.
A chime, soft blue light touches the tip of green grass. Pointed feat, as if poised to dance, hover inches over the earth. Sky looks up to a see her leaning over him, almost protectively. Always as ever, Fi's face is the same. Unmoving, unchanging.
But something feels… different.
Sky tries to draw in a breath, but it is still too uneven. Too shaky. "I have to do this." He tells Fi, tells himself. "I have to do this to save her. I have to save everyone."
Sky knows what Fi's going to say. A creation of Hylia, with the purpose to defeat Demise. Of course Fi will agree. This quest is her purpose.
"Agreed. But you may take your time if you need to, Master."
Sky is shocked. "What?"
"Your health is important," Fi says. Sky swears there is something softer in her voice. "The trials can wait while you restabilize your heart rate and emotional turmoil."
Sky laughs. He laughs because of the pain, he laughs because of the relief. He laughs because he knows Fi is looking at him right now with confusion.
And she is, "Master?... Are you broken?"
Sky takes in a deep breath, already feeling much better. Just for her, Sky smiles warmly. "Thank's Fi. That means a lot coming from you."
Fi nods her head, "Of course."
"Okay," Sky stands up and grasps the blade buried in the center of the ethereal glowing pattern. "I'm ready to go back in. Will you guard my body while I sleep?"
Fi chimes once more, "Always."
Sky comes back to the present very troubled.
This time Sky's the one to seek out the owl.
Sky: "Why can't anyone leave his Island? Why do I have to wake the Wind Fish."
Owl: "Because none of this is real, lad. All of this is the Wind Fish's dream."
Sky: "Are any of us real?"
Owl: "You are real, lad."
Sky: "But the others?"
Owl: "... No."
Sky feels sick.
He doesn't believe it.
He can't. They are real. All of them are so real.
Marin is real.
She is.
Sky fights monsters around the island.
Marin gets to go visit the Animal Village and sing to them.
This makes her very happy.
Sky tries to feel happy too.
Sky and Marin watch the ocean during twilight.
Marin sings to the seagulls.
She jokes that maybe they can take her song across the sea.
Just in case she never leaves.
Sky listens to her.
He feels very lost.
The monsters are getting worse.
It doesn't matter how many Sky kills.
More keep showing up.
Marin notices Sky is sad.
She tries to help.
She suggests he goes instrument hunting again.
Sky looks hesitant.
(He's afraid).
Marin: "Please? Could you find another instrument? For me?"
Sky goes to find the next instrument.
He reasons if he makes sure not to collect them all the Wind Fish will stay asleep.
Sky comes back with a harp.
Marin is delighted and immediately insists he play for her.
Marin: "How about you play that song you like! I remember the words, so I can accompany you!"
Sky plays.
The harp feels a little strange leaning against his shoulder.
But ever pluck of the string, that's familiar.
Marin opens her mouth and begins to sing.
Immediate consequences.
Flashback:
The sun is bright where it hangs in the blue sky, morning rays warming against his skin. The soles of his feet press off of wooden steps as he climbs up toward white walls and growing ivy.
A melody drifting in the air, each note resonating with a crystal clearness.
The ground beneath Sky's feet turn from creaking wood to the tap, tap, tap of heal upon stone. An archway rises before him in welcome. The moment Sky passes through, the courtyard within becomes clear.
And a voice joins in with the harp.
Hair like golden drapes shining with the rays of the sun. Eyes of the clearest pools of water. Fingers elegant and swift. Figure curved and sweet with the gentle graces of a kind hearted soul.
The voice sings soft and light as the air. Something in Sky rises with it. Butterflies beat on air currents within his chest, and a silent drum staccatos the beat of his heart. All he can do is take this moment in, staring in awe at his beautiful-
Zelda.
Sky: "Ballad of the Goddess."
Marin: "You remembered your song!"
Sky bursts into tears.
Sky is more distressed than ever before.
He remembers Zelda.
He remembers the trouble she was in.
He doesn't remember if he ever saved her.
Is she still waiting for him?
Locked in her crystal of time.
Waiting centuries for him to come and wake her up?
But if he wakes up,
If he wakes the Wind Fish,
Everyone on this island will die.
Never to have existed at all.
But as a memory.
Sky becomes depressed.
Marin and the villagers try to cheer him.
But every kind word, every sweet gesture…
It only makes him feel worse.
Sky starts sleeping in.
Later and later.
Until he's not getting up at all.
Marin is very frightened for her friend.
Marin: "Please Link. Tell me what's wrong?"
He can't.
How could he?
This burden is his alone.
Finally Marin has had enough.
She demands Sky tell her what's wrong.
And refuses to budge until Sky tells the truth!
(Redheads can be fierce when they want to be)
(Malon, Marin, Midna, Ganondorf, every Gerudo Vai you've ever met…)
(You get the idea).
(Don't mess with a red head).
Sky tells her everything.
Marin is quiet at first.
But then she smiles.
Marin: "If this is real, then you'll wake the Wind Fish, and we all get to leave this Island. If this is a dream, then we're not real to begin with. Wake up, Link. Go back to the people who love you."
Sky cries.
The author cries too.
This ending isn't any better than canon.
Sky finishes the quest.
He wakes the Wind Fish.
He wakes up in his own bed.
Zelda's arms are around him.
He cries some more.
Zelda is there to comfort him.
(The author cries some more.)
(There's nobody to comfort me.)
Okay, I know I said this would be a comedy fic.
And it is... But I had to do the lost people of Koholint justice.