A/N: To the person who reviewed with "Awesome!"—I thought at first you were commenting that it was awesome that I killed Zelda off (lol). But I'm sure you would never think something like that about our beloved princess, right? Right?!

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Chapter 4 – Mistakes of the past

All of my surroundings are suddenly engulfed in a blinding white light. Eventually, the light gives way to the interior of the Deku Tree. An enormous Gohma, at least twice the size of the one I originally fought in the tree, materializes in front of me. The chamber seems much smaller than I remember it, giving me the sensation of claustrophobia.

I keep my distance while evaluating the situation. A quick check of my pockets reveals that I'm unfortunately lacking in the weapons department. The only tool at my disposal is my puny Kokiri sword. Navi is nowhere to be seen, likely to add to the challenge of the trial and to test my own, unassisted abilities. I swallow nervously.

Considering my current equipment, I assess the situation honestly to myself—there is little hope of victory. Without a bow and arrows or my slingshot, which I had previously used in order to incapacitate the monster and follow up with a sword strike, I have no idea how I can possibly prevail.

I frantically search for something, anything, that would allow me to stand a chance against such a formidable opponent. This is when I notice some small, barely discernible recessed sections on one of the few pillars in the room. I determine that they would make decent footholds, so I rush to the pillar and climb as far as I can—about a quarter of the way to the ceiling. Even from this vantage point, I still haven't reached the height of his enormous single eye which I know from past experience is its only weak point.

Gohma begins approaching me. Despite being at a distance, I can easily see its fangs, which are completely out-of-proportion to the rest of its body because of their impressive and extremely intimidating size. The arachnid is surprisingly agile, leaving me with very little time to think, so I let my instincts take over for the most part. Just before Gohma reaches the ground beneath my position, I jump from my perch in order to fall on its midsection, and from there I climb to its eye. However, Gohma wisely refuses to open its eye while I'm anywhere in the vicinity, thus preventing me from stabbing it with my sword. I have to think of something else.

Gohma attempts to buck me off by shaking and twisting its body, to no avail since I'm in a crouching position. Next, it starts scaling a wall, causing me to make a mad grab for the hair on its body before I plunge to the floor. However, Gohma proceeds to do what I feared it would do—walk across the ceiling! Although for a short while my grip can continue to hold onto the arachnid's hair even though I'm now dangling precariously in the air, Gohma combines its inversion with contortions that loosen my grip until eventually, I feel myself slipping slowly downward until I'm plummeting. I close my eyes and prepare for the worst. I expect this to be the final curtain for me...

...yet, when I cautiously open my eyes some moments later, I'm stunned to find that my fall was broken by a thick layer of some squishy white capsule-shaped objects. Many of the capsules have apparently broken open, leaving me in a puddle of putrid green pus of some kind. I look upward to see Gohma excreting more of these capsules from it's lower abdomen which is when it occurs to me that these must be its larvae. Although the sensation of sitting upon pus and oversized spider larvae is repugnant, to put it mildly, at least they served a purpose.

However, the sight of the unmistakably still-alive me crushing many of her future spawn only manages to enrage Gohma further. It quickly crawls down the wall and gives chase. I return to the footholds on the pillar at a sprint, knowing I can't simply repeat what I did before but not knowing what else to do. I jump to Gohma again when it comes close. Out of desperation, I try attacking any part of its body, but as expected, there's no effect.

Right before Gohma starts climbing up the wall again, I spot some additional recessed areas on a nearby pillar that are higher than the other footholds and just barely accessible to me from a well-timed jump-start off Gohma's torso. I miss the alcove I was aiming for but manage to recover by grabbing the one below it. I turn behind me to look toward Gohma, who opens his eye for a few precious moments as he searches for me, not sure of where I've gone in the poorly lit room.

Taking advantage of its moment of vulnerability, I quietly draw my sword and point it at the eye. Praying that my aim will be true, I throw it with all my might at the center of the eye. To my relief, the sword embeds itself deeply into the eye, causing the arachnid to topple on its back to the floor and begin writhing in agony. I let myself fall to the ground where I reach for the sword and drive it even further into the eye, holding it firmly in place until even the spider's weakest motions have completely ceased. I'm sweating and breathing heavily in response to the incredible stress and effort I've exerted, but at least now, I'm done.

Congratulations, young warrior. You have passed the first trial.

All my surroundings turn to the same blinding white as before.

You succeeded in adapting to your surroundings and making do with the few tools that were at your disposal—the most invaluable of which was your own mind. Now on to the next challenge.

My previously featureless environment morphs into a long, narrow, castle-like hallway with carpet of a rich red color. I note that there are no doors, windows or exits of any kind in sight. The walls are made of stone and the ceiling only barely manages to clear my head, leaving me feeling even more acutely claustrophobic than before. From out of the blue, a heavily armored, ax-wielding Iron Knuckle is conjured only a short distance ahead of me. With my left hand, I reach instinctively for my sword but end up grasping only thin air. A quick check of my person shows that I have no equipment on me at all this time other than the clothes I'm wearing!

Gulp.

My fear is so great that I can only breathe in short, ragged bursts. I've never been so afraid in my entire life, creating a burden so heavy that I nearly can't think straight. I look all around me, frantically searching for some object or feature of my surroundings that I can use to gain the upper hand...but the hallway is entirely bare. Not even the usual castle adornments, such as paintings or potted plants, can be found. I look over my shoulder and see only a short length of hallway behind me before I'll be cornered. The Iron Knuckle, although slow by anyone's reckoning, would only require a minute or two of plodding to have me completely cornered. There isn't even enough space for me to squeeze past my massive opponent.

Yet I soon come to the realization that the same confined area which is my prison will also be a barrier for the Knuckle when it tries to swing its massive ax. It could only possibly swing from top to bottom, not from side to side, and it barely has enough room for even that.

An idea strikes me. I approach the Knuckle just enough to goad him into swinging at me before I quickly evade backwards to safety. I note the sound its ax makes as it strikes the carpet. Clearly, the floor underneath the carpet is not made from stone like the walls are. It produces more of a cracking sound than the clank I had expected to hear. Bingo.

I continuously entice the Knuckle to attack me while avoiding its swing with a quick backstep, repeating this over and over again. Eventually, as I had hoped, the floor begins to crack and cave in. As mighty as this foe is, it certainly isn't known for its intellect since it continues hacking away at the floor even when it's apparent that the floor will eventually give way. The Knuckle has unwittingly dug its own grave, unable to escape from the gaping hole that has developed from under its own feet.

Well done. The fact that you have made it this far is a true testament to your worthiness of being the chosen one throughout the ages. Now for your next trial.

As usual, my surroundings change to white, then to another familiar setting. I see the front gate of Hyrule Castle being patrolled by a familiar-looking guard. I'm behind the same tree that I hid behind as a child. It looks like I may finally get my chance to do what I should have done before. Considering the difficulty of the previous trials, I'm surprised that this one may end up being relatively easy. However, I know better than to get cocky. It simply couldn't be this simple...the goddesses must have some trick up their sleeve.

I see the boy approaching, but...wait—it's not the same boy as before. He has reddish-orange hair, barely visible from beneath his green cap, and...freckles. No...it couldn't be...but, upon looking closer, I can come to no other conclusion. It's Mido!—that bully of mine from my years growing up in Kokiri Forest. I watch as he approaches the front gate, carrying a large pot in his hands which looks like it must be obstructing his forward vision.

I'm divided on what to do. On the one hand, it would admittedly be quite amusing and satisfying to see Mido get what he deserves for all the years I've known him. On the other hand...does anyone ever really deserve a beating unless it's being doled out for the sake of self-defense? I hesitate for several moments, weighing the ethical decision in my mind.

When he is only a short distance from the guard, I know I must make my decision before it's too late. Stepping out from behind the tree, I make the bold choice to begin waving my arms wildly in a bid to gain the guard's attention. "Hey, looking for me?!" I shout to him. The guard looks puzzled at first, likely because he had thought the kid in front of him, whose face was hidden by the pot but who wore the same clothes and hat as me, actually was me, but it's obvious he now realizes he was mistaken. The guard looks at me with rage and is clearly contemplating giving chase to me, but is restrained by the fact that he apparently can't stray far from his post, so he can do nothing more than glare at me menacingly. Mido is startled enough that he drops the pot and runs away. I can't help but grin at the amusing sight of a guard who acts like a neutered dog on a leash and an old bully of mine who's running away like a little sissy.

My surroundings turn to white once again.

We are impressed with your selflessness, brave hero. This was a test of your willingness to help even those who you may feel do not deserve your help. Only someone as compassionate as the legendary hero would be willing to put himself in harm's way in order to aid his own enemy. However, there is one final test we must give you before you will have proven to our satisfaction that you are indeed worthy of having your wish granted.

The all-consuming whiteness around me is replaced with a grove from Kokiri Forest. Many of the plant-like Deku Baba monsters began appearing around me, surrounding me. I instinctively reach for my sword, which I'm pleased to find I'm in possession of once again, and begin mowing these minor nuisances down with wide circular swings as I'm so accustomed to doing. But in the back of my mind, I simply can't believe this could possibly be the final test. It's far too simple...I would hardly tremble at the sight of a single pathetic Deku Baba or even a sea of them at once, and I'm sure the goddesses know this. So what is the true test here?

Strangely, I feel my sword arm starting to waver before one Deku Baba in particular out of the massive crowd. Even with the threat of a painful, venomous attack looming if the monster were to lunge forward and bite me, I find myself unable to deliver the single weak sword strike it would take to do away with the creature. Instead, I stand motionless in front of the monster, focusing all of my attention on it. For some reason, a strange sensation takes hold of me. Oddly enough, the Deku Baba makes no effort to attack me as they are so wont to do. I would say this one seems...peaceful—almost...friendly. I have this weird urge to touch its 'head' of sorts. It responds to this contact by leaning into my touch and, of all things, seems to nuzzle my arm just the way an amiable dog might do!

My brows arch upward at the same time my jaw drops in astonishment. Likewise, what I hear next takes me completely by surprise.

The final test involved whether you would recognize an old friend even when in a less...conventional form...in the form of something you normally slay without giving it a second thought. You were able to recognize that one of the enemies was actually not an enemy at all. It was, in fact, an incarnation of the goddess Hylia, the entity you know by the name Zelda. Your bond for each other is truly one that transcends all boundaries of time and space—a friendship based on great trust, mutual respect and sincere caring. You are bound together by destiny, and the bond is clearly a strong one as we have witnessed here and in countless other eras.

We shall give you both a second chance to make things right, to defend Hyrule from the dark forces that wish to convert it into a land of only suffering, hatred and despair. However, this time, you shall be reborn with the innate understanding that the ability to travel through time is a gift not to be taken lightly. One of your guiding beliefs will be the importance of respecting the natural, true order of events. You will know to only alter in the past what absolutely must be altered for the sake of protecting Hyrule and securing a future for it that is free of tyranny. Have we made ourselves clear?

"I understand," I declare solemnly, holding my hand over my heart and nodding in agreement. "The mistakes will not be made again."

Whiteness surrounds me one last time.

O.O.O.O.O.O.O

In a lavish castle somewhere, perhaps in an alternate plane of existence altogether, a king and queen welcome their new daughter into the world. They give her the name Zelda, in honor of the many princesses who came before her, all of whom were beloved, benevolent rulers. She was endowed with many divine gifts, including that of visions—the ability to see premonitions of the future.

Elsewhere in that same land, a boy is carried by his dying mother into a forest. She begs it's wisest and oldest denizen, a mighty, sentient tree, to care for her son in her stead. The boy would grow up amongst a race of eternal children until called to action one fateful day.

Destiny would bring these two beings together...not for the first time, nor would it be the last. Yet things would be different this time around. The mistakes of the past would not be repeated, for now every denizen of Hyrule is born with the conviction that certain things, undesirable as they may be, are part of an invisible plan for the world that must always be given their due respect.

O.O.O.O.O.O.O

A/N: This fanfic explores the possibility that the downfall timeline could actually coexist, albeit in an AU-type setting, alongside the other two timelines that involve Link actually defeating Ganon, even though they seemingly contradict the downfall timeline. So take that, Game Theories youtube channel! Almost anything's possible in the Zelda games! Because magic! lol

So...did you think this 'what if' was plausible? That the the goddesses would be like I portrayed them? I'm interested to know what you think.