The brashness of approaching Cia with little preparation nearly costs the Links their lives, as Dark duplicates were summoned to fight them. Indeed, Darunia, loyal, big boss of the Gorons, was lost in the struggle. The Doctor sends Lana and Midna searching Hyrule for signs of Cia, using Midna's ability to teleport to his advantage, as he tends to the wounds of his soldiers.
"Is Twilight all right yet?" Wind asked the Doctor. The Doctor was pacing around a part of the campsite, uneasy with how long Lana had been away.
"If Ilia won't let you into her tent, she's still recovering from the surgery," the Doctor told him. Breast reduction, while it did have medical benefits, was not a surgery the Doctor had performed often, so Twilight was seemingly more fatigued than expected. Or Ilia was offering ministrations of another sort.
Either way, Cia's disappearance had given him bigger concerns.
"Though why do you want her?" the Doctor asked, genuinely wondering.
"I dunno. Thought all the Links could get together again and have one of those arguments," Wind remarked.
"I guess I could have a talk with you. What was that thing that hit you when you were fighting Dark Wind?" the Doctor suggested.
"You mean that carriage? I couldn't tell you much more… I think there was smoke pouring out of it, I guess. And the wheels felt… a bit weird, I guess…" Wind explained. The Doctor nodded.
"Must've been a train," the Doctor remarked, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"A what?" Wind asked confusedly.
"A train. It's a kind of horseless carriage that runs on steam. It's much faster than horses, but it's confined to special tracks. Those wheels must've been designed to run on tracks," the Doctor explained.
"…Mind if I steal that idea?" Wind asked eagerly.
"Help yourself. If your Dark duplicate was slinging trains around, you would've discovered them in your lifetime anyway," the Doctor told him, wondering vaguely what he had unleashed onto the timeline regardless.
The Doctor left Wind to discuss trains with Tetra and Aryll, while he himself went to attend to Time's crew. They had been seated separately, mourning Darunia's departure for some time. The funeral had been attended to, and the Doctor himself had nothing really to add. Most grieving strategies he knew took time, and time was not something he could adjust to his will.
Ignoring the fact he was a time-traveller, of course.
"Found something you can't cure?" Lana asked cheekily, sneaking up on the Doctor. The Doctor gave the slightest of jumps, before turning to Lana.
"I could've saved him…" the Doctor said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
"He died by explosion. We couldn't find much of him. Unless your reaction times are as good as your medical techniques, there was little you could've done," Lana assured him.
"I know, but… it's kind of hard, seeing someone under my care fall. Especially since I've gotten good enough at the craft for that to be rare. And especially since it's my fault Dark Time even existed," the Doctor explained.
"…Well… I have some good news and bad news about Cia. It's one of those times that the good news comes first," Lana reported, uncertain about her foot in the subject.
"Then don't dilly-dally on about it!" the Doctor admonished.
"Right… good news is, we found Cia. Bad news is… she's not attacking from this time period," Lana reported firmly.
"Then which is she attacking from?" the Doctor asked, although he guessed at the answer.
"Ours," Lana confirmed.
It took the Doctor very little time to get everyone assembled and ready for time travel upon hearing those words. The note of panic in his voice transferred itself readily to those around him, inspiring them to get prepared. However, the Doctor's first words to them all surprised him.
"You're not coming with," he said firmly. His words were met with uproar.
"Let me explain myself. The best and the bravest will be needed. But this is TIME TRAVEL. A dangerous process, and energy-consuming too. And Lana and I have to be in tip-top shape to get there. The commanders, sure. But I can't simply let the rank and file come spewing out into the future," the Doctor explained.
"But Doctor…" Impa began to protest.
"Enough, Impa. I trust and follow the Doctor's reasoning," Zelda said sharply.
"My apologies, Princess," Impa said in deference, kneeling before stepping back.
"But Impa's point remains valid, Doctor. How are we to beat Cia with just this batch?" Lana asked. The Doctor looked across his crew. A number of Links, a Great Fairy, several people with great skill with their weapon, a weapon, and several achievements to their names.
"I think this lot have seen worse odds," the Doctor said confidently.
Lana appeared in a rather clear area, which was rather nice. After the rather rough sights of nature in the past, Lana felt much more at home with the more synthetic landscape that had taken a hold of the future. The Doctor appeared beside her, sighing wistfully as he drew the circle to summon everyone else to their time.
"What are you thinking about?" Lana asked, making small talk more than anything.
"Oh… just about how nature has changed in the centuries since. Nothing to be too worried about in the middle of this crisis, and certainly not something a stick that glows when you push a button would solve anyway," the Doctor said, dismissing the subject thoroughly. He activated the time portal, drawing everyone from the past into the future. They looked around oddly, taking a moment to adjust themselves, before looking to the Doctor.
"Oh, thank goodness you're back!" a young-sounding girl sounded. The Doctor turned, and smiled.
"Oh, hello, Pi!" the Doctor called out, waving. The pleasure in his tone echoed to the people behind him.
"I should say the same to you, Chi! Where have you been?" the young lady asked harshly, though still a little joyous.
"Who is she?" Twilight asked, looking around to look at the lass. Everyone else was shuffling around to try and look at the girl.
"This is my little sister, Πψ%/3. What do you call her…" the Doctor said, before pausing.
"…If you must, why not Keiko? I heard it in one of the myths… please don't tell me you've already found a Keiko?" Πψ%/3 suggested.
"Nope. Lana and Cia were fine. I wasn't as lucky, though that was my fault. For some reason, I deliberately chose a familiar name. That was Link," the Doctor explained. The newly named Keiko looked at the four other Links.
"Well done, Chi. Well done," Keiko snarked.
"Yes, yes… have you seen Cia? Remember, 4Δ#ΡL?" the Doctor asked.
"…OH, RIGHT! 4Δ#ΡL has created this giant 'mansion' outside town, and there's some kind of dark energy going on around there. The Skaromia are holding them back, but-" Keiko started to explain.
"Skaromia? Oh no they don't! Come along, we've got to get to Cia before those tin cans exterminate her!" the Doctor commanded, bolting forward. Lana turned to the people of the past, who were understandably disconcerted.
"Don't worry. The Skaromia are fairly nice. I like them quite a bit, actually. The Doctor doesn't like them, though," Lana remarked.
*COME OUT 4Δ#ΡL! YOU ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY ELITE SKAROMIA! YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS BEFORE YOU ARE EXTERMINATED!* the commander of the Skaromia commanded. He was much like the rest of his crew- just over two metres tall, mostly a heavily armoured tower, with only a single eye emerging from the head. However, everyone knew how effective they could be.
"Incorrect. I give you ten seconds to evacuate," the commander heard. He slowly pivoted on his wheels, and faced an angry-looking civilian. No… this was no civilian.
*YOU ARE THE χ8&WӔ! YOU HAVE AN OATH OF NO HARM! PLEASE REMAIN BACK AND LEAVE THIS TO THE PROFESSIONALS!* the commander told the Doctor.
"You are correct. My oath does not allow me to bring my patients to harm. And 4Δ#ΡL is still my patient!" the Doctor said firmly. It was amazing how dangerous he sounded without shouting.
*YOUR CLAIM TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT 4Δ#ΡL IS MEANINGLESS IN THE FACE OF YOUR FAILURE, χ8&WӔ! PLEASE LEAVE COMBAT TO THE PROFESSIONALS!* the commander pleaded.
"Why you-" the Doctor yelled, levelling his Luminal in the direction of the Skaromia.
"Doctor!" Lana cried out, startling both the Doctor and the Skaromia.
"Lana?" the Doctor asked, watching Keiko and those taken from the past following behind her. They looked between the Doctor and the Skaromia.
"Chi, I know you have issues with them. But they can help us! We're short on men, and we'll need to be in plenty of places at once to beat 4Δ#ΡL. I know it'll be hard, but please… put your hatred aside," Keiko begged. The Doctor shot a sharp glare at the Skaromia.
"…Fine. But the first hint of double-crossing, I've got just the magnet to wipe your data once and for all, you soul-crushing machines!" the Doctor said firmly. Everyone stepped back, the hatred the Doctor managed to exude in that one line stunning them- their impression of the man had been one of kindness and willingness to help the weaker individual. This was a different Doctor.
"…I'm detecting 4Δ#ΡL is creating some kind of disturbance across town… no, make that three disturbances," Keiko said, to redirect the tension elsewhere.
"That'll tie into her advantage. Time, Sky, Wind, pick a squad and take each one," the Doctor ordered. He looked up at the manor, to notice odd beasts pouring out. The gates opened, and a green light coated them. A Skaromia attempted to gain entry, but was dissolved in the light.
"Wait, Links…" the Doctor told them. He approached the light, and touched his finger to the barrier. It passed through.
"…She has a thing for Link… Changed my mind. Time, Sky, Wind, come with me. Twilight, too, I guess," the Doctor ordered. The Links nodded, and passed through the barrier to approach Cia's lair.
"So, why do you hate those things, anyway?" Twilight asked. Time, Sky and Wind were on their guard, while Twilight was still resting herself.
"…They're monsters, through and through. They may claim that they can be peaceable, but there's not a peaceful gear in their circuits," the Doctor explained. Twilight shivered at his words, before she heard Wind gasp. She and the Doctor looked up, and let out similar gasps.
Statues. Lines and lines of statues. Each and every one depicting the face of a Link. Even the female Links had their appearances in the statues- aside from Twilight, the Doctor recognised the woman sitting astride a wolf that attacked him in the Valley of Seers and the woman Theresa called 'the First', but was unable to recognise the woman wielding a rod with an odd tip, the girl with an odd duck in place of a hat, or one of the trio holding an assortment of outfits, among others.
"You are not nearly as unique as you thought, Twilight," the Doctor commented, looking between the Links. His eyes were particularly drawn to a statue sitting beside his- twinkling green eyes, black hair and a cheeky grin seemed to draw him in, a welcome sight of relief from the largely blond-haired, blue-eyed template most Links seemed to follow.
"Finished staring?" a deep voice asked. The Doctor drew his eyes away from the girl, to face the menacing face of Volga the Dragon Warrior. The other Links followed suit, each impacted by the thought of these statues existing.
"The one known as Cia has an unhealthy desire for those with your blood, humans. And whatever you are, red one," Volga said simply.
"Master of the obvious," Wind snarked.
"And must you point out my being-a-demon?" Sky added.
"Whatever. She is trying to lead you into a trap where she can disarm and claim you forever," Volga said.
"She'll not find me an easy target!" Twilight bragged, her slight heaving suggesting otherwise.
"But why are you warning us?" the Doctor asked.
"I despise dishonesty, trickery, and those who practice them. Cia's goals are also highly disagreeable, and I quite hate the feel of this domain. No offence, whichever one of you is from the future," Volga stated.
"None taken. We've changed a lot," the Doctor agreed.
"And for that reason- GWARGH!" Volga started, before something changed him. The Doctor's eyes cast around, and found Cia, standing back with her electrical whip in hand.
"That's enough out of him. Enjoy my collection, boys?" Cia asked, grinning.
"Cia, what do you want with us? And don't give me this 'crush' thing, I'm not buying it for a second," Twilight asked, stepping forward, hands on her crossbows. She was trying to hide the pain that still lied behind her breasts, but she wasn't fooling anyone.
"And why wouldn't you? While the rough and tumble boy is certainly appealing, there has to be something stated about such a lovely looking lady," Cia stated, reaching out for Twilight's cheek. Twilight slapped her hand away, glaring.
"Your attraction to us has gone too far for too long. In the name of everyone immortalised behind me…" Twilight started, drawing her crossbows. She levelled them threateningly at Cia.
"I WILL PUN-" Twilight began, before Cia's whip was brought down on Twilight's head. Twilight was out like a light, and the Doctor had shot, almost immediately, to Twilight. He drew his Luminal, and started tracing Twilight's head almost immediately. Cia tutted, and opened a dark hole, sending both into some void.
"You bring them back," Sky ordered, drawing his sword.
"I have a better idea: you three fight a dragon," Cia said, disappearing as well. Time, Sky and Wind stepped back, as Volga rose to his feet. He was glowing an ominous red hue, and his pike turned to a terrifying trident.
Dragon Warrior VOLGA
"Oh dear…" Wind said.
Lana and Keiko were directing the forces to each part of the town of Fregall. The task was made all the more difficult by Malon, Ilia, Hylia and Theresa's refusal to stray from Cia's mansion, as if proximity would assure their Link's safety. Lana looked up, and noticed more odd portals appearing, each one creating powerful monsters such as the Lynel and the Zazak. Lana sunk to her knees, groaning.
"What's wrong?" Keiko asked, concerned.
"Don't know… but Cia…" Lana squeaked out.
"Your other half, right? But that'd mean…" Keiko started. She turned to face the wall behind her.
"Can I borrow a Skannon?" Keiko asked one of the Skaromia who stood by her, directing the allied forces.
*HELP YOURSELF!* the Skaromia replied, offering a staff-like object. This was a Skannon, the Skaromia's primary form of attack. Keiko aimed it at the wall, and fired. The blast cleared away a small portion, which the green field was not protecting. Keiko grabbed her bell and ran in, going to find Cia and stop her before Lana fell her with her.
The Doctor picked himself up, and looked around. They appeared to be in some kind of dungeon, though whether that was a traditional dungeon or a jail dungeon was up to interpretation. He turned to quickly help Twilight up, before turning back to the dungeon.
"Now what?" Twilight asked.
"I've got an idea…" the Doctor told her. He lit up his Luminal, and whatever plan he appeared to have disappeared in light of the darkness that was illuminated.
"Doctor…" Twilight said. The Doctor looked around the darkness, and noticed some light paths. The Doctor leaned around, and scooped Twilight up in a bridal hold. Before Twilight could utter a single word of surprise, the Doctor had leaped into the darkness, following the light path through.
"Doctor, put me down!" Twilight commanded. No sooner than she had done so had the Doctor's speed been cut down considerably by chunks of darkness and manor flying about. The Doctor did drop Twilight, and she landed on a light platform. The Doctor landed on another one, and a large beast jumped up, and landed on a chunk of darkness. A Gooma.
"Hold on, I got this…" Twilight said, getting to her feet, and aiming her crossbows. The light she was standing on gave way, and she fell up into another platform. She squealed as she landed face-down, before resuming her feet. She looked up, only to notice the Doctor jumping from light to light, sending odd creations at the Gooma, before jumping out of the path of the Gooma's ball and chain. Twilight looked up, and noticed something above.
"Doctor!" Twilight exclaimed. The Doctor looked up, and allowed the ball and chain to bite into his back. He winced, waved his Luminal to heal the wound a little bit, and destroyed the Gooma. He grabbed Twilight, and jumped toward the light.
Time parried another of Volga's strokes, only for its follow-up to strike him in the side. The Volga that had challenged them was much more powerful than the Doctor had described him prior, and both Wind and Sky were out of the match. Time had taken on his Fierce Deity incarnation, and he was still outmatched.
"Wait…" a female voice called. Time and Volga turned, to notice Keiko. Time realised the significance in a hurry, and slammed his sword into Volga. Volga parried the blade easily, and Time began with a new vigour that was sure not to last long, but would distract Volga long enough for Keiko to do something. Keiko rung her bell a bit, creating a water glyph around Volga's feet. Keiko began to sing a short melody, before sending a cascade of water around Volga. The water drove the darkness from Volga's body.
"Argh… ARGH! GWARGH!" Volga cried out. His roar shook the ground slightly, but he managed to fight off that which sought to undo him.
"Young one… thank you…" Volga breathed.
"I'm the Doctor's little sister. You're welcome," Keiko said, grinning. She looked over at a hole in the ground, noticing the Doctor ascend with Twilight.
"No… this can't be happening…" Cia's voice cried out. Cia appeared in front of everyone.
"Volga… destroy them!" Cia commanded, shooting a bolt of darkness at him. Volga batted it away.
"I do not win fights dishonestly, sorceress," Volga told her.
"You will win when I tell you to win!" Cia growled.
"Our allegiance is over. I will be returning to the past at the first opportunity, and then I shall return to my cave, never to re-emerge. You, on the other hand, still have three standing Links and this charming young lass to deal with. Do something REALLY stupid, and you'll have a dragon who's never lost a battle," Volga stated.
"…You…" Cia growled, turning to Keiko.
Dark Sorceress CIA
Cia slammed her staff into the ground. Keiko looked around, and noticed a statue rise from its pedestal. The figure, a female with blonde hair and blue eyes that somehow did not look like a Link, drew her sword, and turned to face Cia.
"Picora… the Defender… you're facing the wrong way!" Cia said. Picora shook her head, an odd sound coming from her neck. Picora approached Cia, and slammed down with a cane. A chunk of earth shot up from underneath Cia, sending her falling to her back. Cia looked up at Picora, and shot a bolt of darkness at Picora. Picora smashed the orb to bits with some odd gloves, and charged in with her sword. Cia swung up with her staff, sending Picora backwards. Picora got to her feet, and her hat jumped to life. Music notes surrounded her, and Picora suddenly vanished.
"…Don't know who to blame for that…" Cia remarked. Twilight stepped forward, and drew her blade.
"Twilight…" the Doctor said, concerned.
"…Time's Fierce Deity is on its last legs, Sky and Wind are gone… I can't ask you to fight Cia…" Twilight said with confidence, hefting up her blade. Cia stepped forward, and swung her staff. Twilight parried, and thrust forward. Cia took the swipe to her left side, before wrapping the chain at the end of her staff around Twilight's chest, at least one loop around her scars.
"Well… it seems I have achieved my victory now…" Cia stated. With her free hand, she took Twilight's chin, and lifted her face up.
"Had to have your dragon go crazy and half wipe us out before you even thought about winning, though," Twilight spat.
"It's so nice how the Doctor left scars for me to strike," Cia remarked. Her sceptre shone, and Twilight grunted in pain.
"ENOUGH!" the Doctor yelled. Cia turned to the Doctor, who had drawn the Master Sword.
"Well… so much for your Oath," Cia remarked.
"I will not stand idly by and allow you to bring harm to my patient, 4Δ#ΡL. At if that means bringing harm to another… I believe one Morton had just the name for it. And if I'm damned either way, might as well do what's right," the Doctor bellowed. He charged forward, and slashed with the Master Sword. Cia's sceptre was shattered, and the chain binding Twilight dissolved. Cia growled, and created another sceptre. She brought the sceptre up to block the Doctor's overhead strike, and then down for his underhand blow. Cia stepped back, before realising there was a blow coming her way that she hadn't anticipated. She dropped to the ground, the Doctor having struck something that would assure a clean death.
"Cia!" Lana's voice called out. The Doctor turned, and saw Lana rushing up. It took him a moment to connect the dots and realise Lana got in the same way Keiko did.
"Lana…" Cia said, stirring. The two women flickered oddly, trying to reach each other. The Doctor stepped back, unsure of what would happen. Dark magic ripped them apart… darkness might be involved in this.
"Lana… we know how this ends. We don't win. How do you fight on… knowing you'll lose…" Cia asked.
"…You clearly haven't been paying attention. The Doctor is good at healing. Even if he has to ignore problems like time paradoxes," Lana laughed. The Doctor smirked at that sally.
"Ah, Lana… you are indeed…" Cia started, before fading. Lana took a breath, and absorbed Cia into herself. Lana turned to everyone else, and nodded. The war with Cia was over.
The Doctor, Lana and Keiko escorted everyone back to the time, and Lana opened her tome. Four gates, echoing Cia's earlier Gates of Souls more invitingly, opened in a fan shape in front of her.
"Time, Twilight, Sky, and Wind, in that order," Lana said, smiling.
"Thanks. See you next crisis!" Midna said, entering the Twilight portal. Allies like Batreaux and Saria followed suit, having little to say to the Doctor themselves. It was the Links that had words with him and his friends.
"Doctor…" Twilight muttered. Ilia turned to her, recognising that face. Twilight approached the Doctor, her eyes clearly thinking about her next thought in depth.
"Doctor… I…" Twilight stuttered out, looking between the Doctor and Lana. She cast a glance back at Ilia, before giving the Doctor a brief, yet tight hug. The pair only caught a brief glimpse of Twilight's blushing face as she returned to her time. The Doctor let out a small chuckle.
"I can't speak for everyone she knows, but she could certainly do a lot worse than you," Malon remarked. Keiko chuckled. Lana remembered Malon was Twilight's mother, and laughed a little harder. The Doctor realised how laughable the idea was at all, and laughed hardest.
"Quite the comedy act," Time signed through Malon. The Doctor rolled his eyes, and held his hand out to Time. Time took it.
"You are a legend. It was nice to have met you. And sorry about Darunia," the Doctor told him.
"Well, according to Twilight, Darunia's gone in her time. Granted, her story about the Zoras doesn't seem to add up, but at least I know what to do about it," Sheik remarked.
"Lana, please note I'm not the only one who used the future to assist the past," the Doctor said firmly. Sheik laughed, and they returned through their gate.
"Time has a funny way of playing tricks on all of us. I've learned not to question it," Sky remarked.
"We tried. Wasn't worth it," Hylia added.
"Sounds like us. We're still trying to figure it out," Lana observed.
"Did you not have a big breakthrough or something?" Keiko asked.
"I TOLD them not to publish that until we agreed on it! We're still not even sure if Picora was a Link or not, for crying out loud!" Lana said.
"It inspired debate and a wider audience's opinion, and for that, it was enough. I agree with Hylia. That's enough arguing about the timestream," the Doctor stated.
"Agreed… it was nice to have met you, Doctor," Sky said. The Doctor nodded, and the pair turned to their portal. Wind stepped up.
"…It was nice, I suppose. I like this time period's Hyrule and Zelda better than the one under the ocean, for sure," Wind said.
"Why, what's wrong with the old one?" the Doctor asked. Wind and Tetra looked between each other, before turning back to the Doctor.
"She orchestrated what could be described as an evil plan using us as pawns," they explained in unison.
"…OK… and that wasn't one of the Zeldas we had here, right?" the Doctor asked.
"I think it was the same one from Time… I met Malon, too…" Wind thought aloud.
"Did you find them to be good people this time?" Lana asked.
"Oh, us Links hated each other in a friendly way, and that was about it. Having the same experiences to draw on helped out a lot, so I'm now only half bitter about it," Wind explained.
"I still hate her, but it's more on a personal basis," Tetra added.
"Well… guess you got closure…" Lana remarked. Wind and Tetra returned through their portal, and Lana could close them. Lana held out her hand, and made the Triforce of Power appear. The Doctor and Zelda nodded, and added Wisdom and Courage. The three pieces joined together, and let out a brilliant light. Odd sounds echoed across the land.
The world was righting itself.
"Will we see you again?" Zelda asked. The Doctor turned to Lana.
"You're the Diviner. You answer," the Doctor told Lana.
"Not anymore. Zelda… I don't know the answer to that question. I don't know if we will ever see each other again. But I assure you… I will treasure our friendship. We will remember you… all of you," Lana said. Zelda nodded. That was enough for her.
"Well… I have diseases to cure," the Doctor stated. Lana summoned the fifth portal, the one that would return them to their time. Keiko and Lana jumped in, but the Doctor reconsidered for one moment. He turned, and handed the Master Sword to Zelda. He jumped into the portal, disappearing to his time.