Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics to "Leave out All the Rest." Linkin' Park does. :)
Chapter 20: Final Farewell
It was an uncomfortably quiet walk to Hyrule Castle. Link was eager to get back to the castle to see if Zelda was safe, but he also knew what that would mean for Vaati. Link would either be forced to fight the sorcerer who he now considered to be a friend, or he would be forced to take the mage to his hanging. The Hero of Time took a look over his shoulder and watched Vaati trudging slowly behind, still passively staring at his hands. It seemed as though the mage had lost all motivation to do anything, even cast a few spells with the magic that he had regained. Link wondered if the sorcerer knew what was going to happen to him when they reached Hyrule Castle.
"Vaati, I'll promise to leave you alone if you don't cause any trouble for us. You don't have to come to Hyrule," Link hinted.
Vaati snorted irritably, the first response that Link had heard him make after they had returned to the right time period. After that, however, the mage lapsed into silence once more and Link got the message that he didn't plan to speak for the rest of the walk.
The sky was clear and cloudless, just as it had been in Link's ominous dream. With every step he took towards the castle the macabre image of his former enemy and newfound friend hanging at the gallows resurfaced in his mind. Was that how this was going to end? Would Vaati let himself be hanged? Link glanced back at Vaati, and felt his skin go cold when he realized that the mage wasn't in the state of mind to save himself if he was placed in the gallows. Vaati looked like he didn't care anymore.
Link stopped walking when he came in sight of the castle gates. There was a crowd waiting for them in hushed quiet, and a few people were wringing their hands together. So, I guess someone saw that I had 'caught' Vaati, Link thought gloomily as his eyes moved over the castle watchtowers. He felt something brush past him rather rudely and found the wordless sorcerer continue onwards towards the crowd, staring at his hands. Link hurriedly jogged to catch up to him before as Vaati moved closer to the mass of people.
"Wait up!" Link called, and tugged on Vaati's cape to stop him from running into the crowd. The people gathered at the castle gates suddenly rushed forward as they got a better sight of Link. "Everyone, stop! I've got everything under control!" Link called frantically and stood between the surging mass of people and the lone mage. He was violently shoved away as Vaati scowled and pushed him over, glaring. Vaati put his hands in front of him in defense and appeared to be readying a spell, but Link could tell the sorcerer wasn't focusing. Again, he had the same indifferent expression on his face as though he could care less what happened to him.
The people were only a few feet away from them now and Link held his breath in suspense, expecting someone to get hurt. His eyes widened in shock when the crowd slowed before them and began to bow their heads and murmur prayers and blessings; Vaati dropped his hands and hesitated in confusion as well.
"Thank you for saving us, lad," a man stepped up to Link and bowed his head. "We were frightened when we heard about the rise of the King of Darkness. It wasn't the sorcerer who was behind the mischief but Ganondorf himself! We give you our deepest thanks for saving Hyrule from his grip."
"I…" Link faltered. His eyes darted to the mage who was by now swamped with people.
Vaati appeared dazed as several of the crowd shook his hand and patted him on the back. "You must have helped the Hero of Time, seeing you were with him," a beaming woman spoke in awe as she also dipped her head in a respectful bow. Vaati could only nod as he had lost his voice. The woman continued, "then we owe you thanks as well." Someone broke into a cheer, and the crowd began to whoop and holler in a growing crescendo of applause. There was a call to let the two through and a path opened before Link and Vaati into the town square and towards the main castle. The two made slow progress as people continued to shake their hands and offer blessings as they made their way towards the castle. Up above, the cloudless sky was as perfect as it could be.
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"Link!" Zelda cried as she ran down the stairs and hugged the green-clad boy tightly. Link hugged back and he felt himself on the verge of tears as relief swept over him. He had thought that he would never see his best friend, and maybe even his crush, again. "Link, I was in my chambers and I was getting ready to go to bed when everything suddenly changed, and then there were people I didn't recognize at all and then there were alarms and then Ganondorf came with Opal and they…and they…oh Link they killed everyone in the castle except me." Zelda's rambling became muffled with suppressed sobs.
"Shhh, Zelda, everything's all right. We defeated Ganondorf," Link took her shoulders and tried to calm her down. He felt a little awkward having a girl crying on him, but he decided to gently hold her hand because he had seen some adults do the same with crying women. It seemed to work, and Zelda's sobbing turned to occasional sniffles.
"I thought I would never see anyone I knew again…I thought I would never see you again." Zelda finally smiled. "But then everyone at the castle returned, and then you came back as well."
Link smiled back before scratching his head in semi-embarrassment, but then frowned when he felt Zelda stiffen and take a step back.
"Link, why is he here?" She was staring at Vaati who was standing a little distance away from them as still as stone. Zelda glanced at Link who was shaking his head before whispering, "Link, you need to explain everything to me."
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The castle hands had given Vaati a spacious chamber all to himself while Link recounted his adventure to Zelda elsewhere. The princess was weary of the evil mage, but she decided to give him a chance after Link made clear how he would take responsibility and after she heard to her puzzlement the high opinions the townspeople had of Vaati. Vaati lay alone on the rich downy bed and stared pointedly at his hands.
Opal. That girl had asked him if he would forgive her and never stayed alive long enough to hear his answer. Her shaking hands had held his tightly until they weakened and slipped away into nothingness as she died. He had wanted to tell her how stupid the question was, how idiotic and silly because he hadn't needed to forgive her for anything. Even though he had been frustrated during his adventure, even though he had complained and raged about how much he hated what he had been forced to go through, he couldn't deny that Opal had saved him in many different ways. She had saved his life when Link had first tried to defeat him with the Four Sword and the consequences of that action had led to him being forgiven by the great spirits, perhaps the goddesses, and even all of Hyrule. If he did have any right to be furious at her, it was for taking them back to the 'wrong' time period. She had taken them back to the time just before he had been placed in jail and before he had been sentenced to hang; the time before Hyrule knew who the short purple caped mage was. It was stupid to be angry at something he should be grateful for, however.
And now they thought he was their savior because they had seen him with Link. How ironic. Before they had wanted nothing more than to see him dead but now they were taking his hands in theirs and blessing him with thanks.
"I don't deserve this," Vaati mumbled to no one in particular. He was used to being hated and feared. He was used to having no one care. Now everyone appeared to like him and he felt like throwing up.
Vaati, Vaati, Vaati. You were always so hard on yourself, a nagging, squawky voice rang in his head.
Vaati frowned in annoyance. "Shut up old man. The dead don't speak."
Ezlo's voice tittered. Of course they don't, stupid boy. I'm from your imagination. However, it's true you were the one who gave yourself so much misery when you had been studying under me. You always thought you were doing something wrong.
"One can always improve on something. And who are you to tell me I actually studied under you? You never taught me a damn thing except that it was too early for me to learn anything," Vaati spat bitterly.
You're right, I suppose, the voice sighed. I wonder if you knew how much you meant to me though…
"A right slave. 'Fetch me my tea, boy.' 'Yes master Ezlo.'" Vaati mimicked sarcastically. "I was worth a lot, I bet."
You were the son I never had. I was never good at showing affection, I admit. But I was afraid…
"Afraid that I would break something? Afraid that I would mess up? Or perhaps afraid that I would become better than you?"
Afraid that you would get hurt…
"You would have no use with a hurt servant."
Afraid that I would lose you…
"Ha. Then you would have no one to clean the floor."
One mistake in a spell, one accident and I would have lost you forever.
"You bloody fool."
I was wrong, Vaati. You left me anyway because of my blindness. I was stupid, and I had never let you do anything. I realize that now. I paid for it when I saw what you had become when you took the Minish Cap. The Vaati I had known died a different way that day, and ever since then I have been torn apart.
"And good riddance. I was a naïve fool, just like the rest of you. I'm better the way I am now."
Ezlo chuckled sadly. No, Vaati. I don't think I will ever be forgiven for the crime I committed against you. I led you to a path that will lead to your destruction – a path that condemned you to die someday in the hands of a hero. He heaved another heavy sigh. But by some miraculous happenstance you no longer have to lead the life that I caused you to pursue. You don't have to be evil anymore, Vaati.
"That's enough. Shut up old man."
I died in grief and shame from the injustice I caused you…
"You deserved it."
I want you to do yourself a favor…
"Don't tell me what to do," Vaati snarled. He shot a spell at an ornate vase and blasted it against the wall.
Let go, Vaati. Take the chance the girl gave you. You can still be good.
Ezlo's voice faded away and Vaati gripped his hands in a tight fist. He angrily punched the air before slowly relaxing his hands. He flopped onto the bed and continued to stare at the ceiling, going over the imaginary conversation he had had with his dead master.
You can still be good.
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"So Opal died," Zelda spoke softly as Link finished his tale. They were walking around the castle garden, as the weather was too perfect to stay indoors. Link nodded.
"Yeah. We couldn't save her…"
Zelda took Link's hand and gave it a slight squeeze to comfort him. "It wasn't your fault, Link." She looked thoughtful. "You had quite an adventure. I can also see why you think we can afford to give Vaati a chance." The wind picked up and the spring flowers ruffled around them. Zelda looked up and stopped walking as she noticed Vaati with his back turned to them in the distance. Link followed her gaze.
"Zelda. Can you wait for me here?" He darted off before waiting for Zelda to give him an answer.
Link slowed as he neared the sorcerer, and they stood next to each other without saying a word for several minutes. Finally, Vaati spoke.
"I'm leaving."
The wind tugged against Link's hat, making him hold onto the brim to keep it from flying off. "I thought you might say that." He turned to look at the mage whose face was hidden by his bangs. "You know, if you want, you're always welcome to come back to Hyrule."
Vaati sharply faced Link with a look of disdain. "You idiot." They kept a straight expression until they both broke and exploded in laughter. The Hero of Time inviting a power crazed evil mage into Hyrule? A few months ago Link's statement would have been unheard of. The laughter died down and Vaati spoke again calmly. "Link, I think I owe you an apology."
"What's this? The Great Vaati is apologizing? We're doomed."
Vaati waved him away with a look of annoyance. "I promised to kill you and yet I failed to keep my promise. For that, I'm sorry."
"Ah. That's Vaati right there," Link grinned. Vaati huffed, and sent a gust that knocked Link off his feet. Link laughed and brushed himself off, and the boy stuck out his hand to the mage as he stood up. "I'm glad I got to know you."
There was a pause in the conversation as they lapsed into quiet once more. It seemed as though the mage wasn't going to take Link's hand, and a look of fleeting disgust passed the sorcerer's face. However, the expression was momentary and the mage sighed and shook Link's hand in the end. Vaati seemed to hesitate as he tried to find the right words. He fiddled with the tip of his cape. "I think…I think I gave you a difficult time, Link."
"You bet you did."
The mage's mouth flattened into a tight line as though he couldn't believe what he was saying. "I initially did it because I hated your guts. In the end…I did it because…I did it because I thought I wouldn't be able to fight you if I didn't make myself hate you."
The hands let go and Link nodded in understanding. "I figured as much."
Vaati narrowed his eyes. "How?"
"I thought of you as my friend, Vaati. And if you want me to be specific about it, you said so yourself at the Temple of Time."
"What?" Vaati hissed. His voice took on a defensive edge.
"You were delirious after your fight with the Darknut, and you repeated several times that you hated me because I was your friend and therefore you couldn't kill me."
"The key word there is delirious. I didn't know what I was saying, you fool," Vaati glared. Link only grinned.
"Well, you can deny it Vaati. I still think you're my friend though."
Vaati muttered something and shook his head in exasperation. The wind swirled around the sorcerer and Vaati levitated off of the ground. "Link."
Link looked up and shielded his eyes from the sun. The wind caught the mage's cape that flapped gently in the sweeping gust. Vaati gave him his trademark wicked grin and a faint blue glow outlined his silhouette.
"May we never meet again."
There was a flash of light and Vaati vanished into the air, leaving Link alone. The wind stopped abruptly and the air became still. Not even a slight breeze tangled his hair and whipped them around his face. Link noticed Zelda begin walking toward him, but he continued to face the space where the mage had been.
Link thought about his adventure with the sorcerer while staring at the empty space where Vaati had been. He felt a tinge of sadness that the sorcerer hadn't decided to stay, but he felt glad that they had been able to make it to the end as friends. He hoped they could meet again sometime.
"Bye Vaati," the boy whispered to the air.
Somewhere, a breeze began to blow.
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I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
'cause no one else cared
After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here?
So if you're asking me I want you to know
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest, leave out all the rest
Don't be afraid
I've taking my beating
I've shed but I'm me
I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you
So if you're asking me I want you to know
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest, leave out all the rest
Forgetting all the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed
And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest, leave out all the rest
Forgetting all the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are.
OXXXXXXXO
fleets: That's it! That's the end! I am so exhausted...but what did you think? I admit I might have rushed it a tad, so someday I might go back and add a few snippets here and there. I also couldn't resist the song :) Now flip to the next chapter to see the preview to the SEQUEL! Yup! That's the idea that I was talking about. I probably won't start it officially for a while, though.
bleu-blizzard: No, you're not annoying. :) Thanks for reading this!
Reily96: Thanks! And you stuck it out to the end, I'm so happy.
H-bomber: I had trouble making my OC die...
Rune Caster: I know...I'm ashamed at myself..
Diablo1123: :)
Peka the Corsair: Hopefully I didn't leave any more unanswered questions...
Azure Inu: Good question. I might integrate that point into the sequel because I've thought about that myself. The story began at FSA, the last game where Nintendo used the Four Sword. In BC, the Four Sword was destroyed by Ganondorf, and it will be replaced by the Master Sword now (it's the sword of time...I guess it could follow Link back to his time period O.o). Hence the beginning of the Master Sword eras. Um...yeah...I'm going to think on that. There's a huge time paradox here...
I luv Vaati: It wasn't over :) Well, now it is. I'm going to think about the sequel now ;)