Author's Note: Welcome back everyone! It's been a little more time than usual between chapters. I won't lie - I had the most miserable writer's block for a long time when it came to this one. I tried to write it every day for a week and it felt like I was walking directly into a brick wall and hoping eventually I'd be able to stubbornly push my way through it. So I just stopped trying for a few days and then the entire chapter just flowed onto the page like nothing these last two days. It's such a strange feeling to go from literally being unable to write at all to not being able to stop the very next day, but I'm proud of the way this chapter finally turned out!

One tiny note is - a certain character calls Link 'aibou' in Japanese, which basically translates to 'partner,' the word I chose to use. This use of the word 'partner' means something closer to 'brother' than 'ally' though, so it gets across the same intent I think. Just don't read the word 'partner' in a southern US accent and you won't wind up imagining him with a 10 gallon hat on LOL

Anyway, though it's been a while coming, I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!


"Zelda! Link! Purah discovered something in Terrako's memories that she said might interest you!"

That one little comment had set them on their quest for the morning. Zelda and Link had awakened in their now-familiar guest room in the Castle, readying themselves before heading down to meet the past Princess in the courtyard again. She had excitedly told them the news before insisting they follow her out to the Ancient Tech Lab so they could all figure out what was going on together. Just before they set off, Impa came running to join them.

"Good morning, Impa," Zelda's other self called to her advisor. The young Sheikah waved and smiled.

"Good morning, Zelda-sama! And Link! And…Zelda-sama…um…yes." Zelda herself couldn't help but laugh.

"I know it gets confusing referring to each of us when we're both together; you're still welcome to address me more casually if you like," Despite her assurance, Impa only wrung her hands together.

"It…it would just feel too awkward!" The other Zelda spoke up next, a smile on her face.

"What about me, then? You could refer to me more casually; we've known each other for so long, I wouldn't mind." Impa gasped, her eyes widening.

"Out of the question, Zelda-sama! The Sheikah have long been the advisors to the Royal Family and it would be incredibly rude of me to break tradition by putting myself on the same level as yourself!" Zelda stifled a laugh as her other self shot her a defeated grin.

"I understand, Impa. In that case…perhaps you could simply point at whichever of us you're referring to?" The Sheikah warrior grimaced but allowed a contemplative gaze to fall upon her palms.

"Hmm…I might just have to…"

While Impa toiled over the solution to her problem, Link spoke up next, his biggest curiosity of the morning still unanswered.

"Where's my other self anyway? What could possibly take him from your side?" he asked the past Princess.

Zelda understood his curiosity – in their world, Link would never have left her unless it was truly necessary. But this timeline was a peaceful one; the odds of her being subjected to any danger was incredibly low by comparison…though certainly something of importance must have come up to draw Zelda's knight away from her.

"Oh, it's nothing serious. Daruk is coming to the Castle today, you see; apparently one of the batteries we installed on Vah Rudania is malfunctioning, so he planned a trip here to see if Purah and Robbie can repair it without having to journey all the way out to Death Mountain themselves. Of course, he wanted to greet my father first and asked if Link could be his escort for the morning. They do get along quite well, after all. And besides, between the two of you and Impa to watch over me, there's no danger if Link isn't the one guarding me for a short time."

"That makes a lot of sense," Link conceded.

Zelda couldn't help but smile as Link took her hand securely in his. She knew he would never leave her side for something like that. He would simply bring her with him. But this world was very different as was the relationship between the Princess and her personal knight. Zelda's other self had her own responsibilities to attend to still and didn't mind if they took her away from Link's side, something that was no longer negotiable for herself, of course. Still, the younger girl did raise a good point about being safe with the three of them.

"I hope you don't mind," the Princess of the past continued, "but I asked Link to bring Daruk himself to the Ancient Tech Lab after they're done instead of just bringing the battery. I figured since the two of you have been traveling to meet the Champions, it might be nice if one came to you for a change of pace!" Zelda lit up at her counterpart's words.

"Thank you so much! You know, you've really taken such wonderful care of us since we arrived here. We owe you."

"You don't owe me a thing, Zelda. I know you would do the same thing for me were our roles reversed and I couldn't be happier to help. Now! Why don't we get going? I'm very curious what Purah has discovered!"

And so, the group set out from the Castle, chatting about various things from the state of the Kingdom to which fruits they all liked best – the past Zelda had brought up that particular question in reference to her favorite dessert. Zelda herself couldn't help but smile as Link squeezed her hand and locked eyes with her, a knowing glimmer in his own.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the Ancient Tech Lab. Zelda hadn't laid eyes on the establishment in an impossibly long time; in her world, of course, it had been reduced to rubble long ago. Seeing it standing proudly was quite a sight. Many Sheikah scientists were bustling around the grounds, entering and exiting the building carrying all manner of different objects. Even in peacetime, it seemed Purah, Robbie, and their team were unwilling to leave any mysteries unsolved.

The past Zelda led their group inside the grounds, waving at the Sheikah and greeting them all by name. It made perfect sense that she would know the researchers here so well; she probably spent a fair amount of time indulging her curiosities and research now that the threat of the Calamity had passed. Zelda couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Entering the main lab, their eyes fell on Purah chatting quietly with her assistant as they stared at the table before them. On it was Terrako with some kind of wire connecting him to a small replica of the Sheikah Slate resting on the table. After a few more hushed words, her assistant walked away, disappearing deeper into the lab. Zelda was curious what was going on. They had been told Terrako would generate enough energy within a few days to open their portal home. Was something wrong?

"Ah, Zelda-sama, come in, come in!" Purah called as she glanced over her shoulder, the noise of their footsteps drawing their attention. Terrako beeped happily and bounced in place a few times, thrilled to see them all. "And it seems all this talk of alternate universe doubles wasn't just a fanciful story, hmm?"

"You mean you didn't believe me from the beginning?" the past Zelda asked, raising an eyebrow as she grinned. Purah wasn't deterred, however.

"I did, it's just so strange to see it for myself! The Zelda-sama and Link of the future look almost exactly like their counterparts in this time. Except for that lovely haircut, of course."

"Purah, do you think I could pull off that style too?" she asked. Impa gasped suddenly.

"Z-Zelda-sama, why would you want to cut off your beautiful hair? Its golden sheen is like a light for everyone in Hyrule!"

Zelda's past self turned and looked at her, giving her a subtle wink as if urging her to join in. Though she hesitated for a moment…it had been a long time since she'd had the chance to tease a young Impa…and when would she ever get such a perfect opportunity again?

"Impa," she began, stepping forward and drawing the Sheikah's gaze, "don't you like my hair shorter?" She sputtered and waved her hands, eyes growing wide.

"Of course I do, Zelda-sama! It looks absolutely wonderful on you! Gorgeous is an understatement!"

"Then you think I should cut my hair too? Great!" the other Zelda sang, smiling widely.

"But…I…" She paused for a long moment as she looked between the two Zeldas. A moment later, an animated pout eclipsed her face and she frowned.

"I see what's happening here. I haven't spent much time with the two of you together yet but you're both having fun teasing me, is that it?" The pair started to laugh gently but the past Zelda was the first to recover.

"I'm sorry, Impa, I just couldn't resist. You're not mad at us, are you?"

"Hmph…of course I'm not mad at you. I do wish you'd treat your personal advisor a little more kindly though."

"Tell you what – I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"…okay…how would you do that?" Before either Zelda could speak, Purah interrupted.

"I have a great idea – she can hold back from making fun of you for what I'm about to show everyone."

"Making fun…? Wait a second, just what are you going to show them, Purah?"

"Just some of Terrako's memories. Specifically the one I think caused the Zelda-sama and Link of the future to be drawn into this world by the little scamp." Zelda's ears perked up at that, Link keying into the conversation as well.

"Purah, did you find something about us?" Zelda asked.

"In a manner of speaking. Here, gather round; it'll all make sense in a minute."

Zelda unconsciously took Link's hand as she stepped forward, pulling him closer as they stopped next to Purah. Her counterpart and Impa took their places at her other side and everyone watched intently as the Sheikah scientist lifted the rectangular device Terrako was connected to into her hands and tapped the screen.

The display shifted until it showed the interior of the Castle from the little Guardian's perspective. He was trundling along next to Zelda and Impa. It was a bit strange to see Hyrule Castle from a point of view so near to the floor but his gaze wasn't focused on the scenery at all. Instead, his attention flitted between the two women as they conversed casually with one another.

"Still, Terrako really did pull off a miracle during the Calamity," Zelda was saying, glancing at him with admiration.

"As much as I hate to admit it, he really did," Impa concerned. "Even if he's a royal pain." Zelda laughed.

"You know, I'd say the two of you are getting along better these days."

"Do you really think so?"

"In the past, you probably would have chosen much harsher words to describe him. I'm glad to see you're finally coming around!" Impa sighed before giving a sheepish smile.

"Maybe you're right. Don't get me wrong, he's still an annoying little hunk of scrap metal, but…part of me does feel a little bad, I suppose."

"You feel bad for Terrako? How come?" Zelda asked, her eyes widening. Impa's cheeks reddened.

"O-only a little! I've just been thinking…he came from a future where Hyrule was destroyed by the Calamity, right?"

"His memories certainly seem to imply that."

"Then…I have to wonder what became of the Zelda-sama who created him."

"The one who created him…I'd never really thought about that."

"It makes sense though, doesn't it? If Terrako was able to summon the descendants of the Champions from another world than ours, perhaps there was another version of you yourself who built this little one as a child."

"When you say it like that, it certainly does seem possible that there's another version of our world," Zelda nodded, her eyes beginning to sparkle at the thought of the boundless possibilities.

"And if there is…what do you think happened to his original creator? Do you think he misses her? Do you think she's even still…alive?" Zelda gave a thoughtful frown and placed a finger to her chin.

"I'm not sure. Those images Terrako showed us all but confirmed that the Champions were lost in this other world. I wonder…if even another version of myself and Link were capable of overcoming something so daunting." Impa sighed and shook her head suddenly.

"I'm sorry to bring the mood down, Zelda-sama."

"Not at all," she reassured her advisor quickly. "I was the one who asked you to explain what was on your mind. Besides, we succeeded in saving our world so there's nothing to be sad about today."

"You're right. And anyway, if his creator is another version of you, I doubt Ganon was able to overcome her. It does make me wonder if she's still out there somewhere, though…"

At this, Terrako made a few curious beeps as he gazed between them. Both Zelda and Impa turned and gave him a smile before Zelda spoke again.

"At any rate, I'm very glad you're here with me now, Terrako. Thank you again for everything." He beeped several times in response before looking at Impa and staring at her. It was surprisingly pointed. She sputtered and looked away before finally heaving another sigh.

"Fine, I'm happy you're here too, you little slag heap," she huffed, though a rapidly growing smile was spreading across her lips. "Now come on; Purah's excited to see you for your checkup today and we shouldn't keep her waiting too long!"

Terrako beeped happily several times before falling into step alongside the women. Before the playback of his memory disappeared, however, he stared down at the ground and gave a long, quiet beep. The sound was somehow contemplative. The visual on the screen vanished a moment later.

Zelda gazed upwards at Terrako who was happily lounging on the table, entirely content with being hooked up to Purah's device it seemed. He had been curious if she was still alive. It made perfect sense why the portal had appeared so innocuously before them above Hateno Village now. He had searched through time back to the world he was from and found her at last. It was very sweet, honestly. She was broken from her thoughts as movement caught her eye.

Impa's face was pale, her hand slowly creeping upwards until it covered her mouth. The other Zelda was watching her with no small amount of amusement but she refused to comment, evidently agreeing that saying nothing was an appropriate way to make up for teasing her advisor earlier. A second later, Impa stepped back and snapped into a deep bow towards Zelda and Link.

"I…am so sorry for putting that thought in Terrako's head like that. It was certainly because of my words that he must have looked through time and sought you out, Zelda-sama. And because of my carelessness, you were both pulled through time by a force you didn't understand and believed you were trapped here. I deeply apologize to you both! I know words cannot make up for it, but I beg you to forgive me!" Zelda was a bit shocked by her response but she quickly shook it off and spoke.

"Impa, you really don't have to feel bad. You couldn't have possibly known Link and I were still out there somewhere in another world. You were just theorizing the way I also love to do. Please, raise your head up. You don't need to bow to me like that and you certainly don't need to feel badly for anything." For the first time in a while, Link spoke as well.

"She's right, Impa. We may have had a little scare when we first were summoned here but the wonderful things we've seen and the friends we've been able to meet again have more than made up for that. You don't have to apologize to us; it wasn't your fault at all." Slowly, Impa rose to her full height again, her eyes somewhat glassy.

"Zelda-sama…Link…you're both so wonderful. Thank you so much for your kind words. I promise to make the rest of your time here absolutely delightful to make up for being the reason you were summoned to this world!" The past Zelda laughed lightly.

"It doesn't seem like they're upset, so I don't think you have to worry so much." Purah placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"She's right. Just relax and move on; that's what I'd do!" Impa shot a small scowl at her sister.

"You're always too lax with things like this. If you'd personally opened a portal that dropped them through time, you'd just laugh it off and say it was all in the name of science."

"Guilty as charged!" she sang with an animated wink.

"Wow, Link was right! There really are two of him!"

A booming voice suddenly interrupted the conversation from behind them. Turning quickly, Zelda gasped as her eyes fell on Daruk. The large Goron was wearing a giant grin as he waved from the entrance, the past Link standing at his side with a small smile on his usually neutral face.

"Daruk!" Zelda cried out, her face lighting up. He offered a wave before strolling across the room towards them.

"Zelda-sama! You look so different with your hair cut like that but you seem so familiar too." Nearby, the past Zelda shot a smirk at Impa who huffed and rolled her eyes.

"And Link," the Goron Champion continued. "You look every bit as strong and reliable as I'd come to expect…though maybe a few years older now?" Link chuckled and nodded.

"Almost eight, yeah."

"Glad I wasn't just imagining things. It's good to see you, partner!"

"Not to interrupt," Purah began, "but I feel a big reunion coming on and this place isn't exactly the most comfortable for something like that. So how about I take the battery Daruk-sama needs repaired and the rest of you go outside and enjoy the day while you catch up instead of being stuck in this stuffy old lab?" It was the past Zelda who spoke up first.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Purah! Won't you come and join us once you're finished?" She winked and gave a thumbs up.

"Sure! I'll even drag Robbie with me. Don't worry, I'll be done before you know it!"

Accepting her suggestion, the group turned and began to head towards the main entrance once more. As they did so, though, Zelda noticed her counterpart stay back for a moment and lean in close to the Sheikah.

"Oh, Purah? About that thing I mentioned earlier…"

"Right! It's ready for you!"

"Great, thanks!"

Zelda found herself curious what they were discussing but they had finally moved too far away for her to catch any more of the hushed conversation. As the front doors opened again and the sun silhouetted Daruk's massive frame, she decided to worry about it later.

She and Link had another impossible opportunity to catch up with one of their old friends.


"Wow, I can't believe you both had to go through something like that," Daruk murmured, frowning. "Still, if anyone would be able to overcome hardships like that, it's you and Zelda-sama."

Link and Zel had again finished recounting their life stories, this time for the Goron Champion. He had been immediately curious about the world the two of them came from and asked to hear the tale. As the past Zelda, Link, and Impa set about readying some kind of surprise, the couple from the future had regaled him with their adventures. Zel had even told him a bit about her most recent ordeal, though only enough to give him the basic idea. They didn't dwell on it long enough to spoil the mood.

"Daruk," Zel began, gazing up at him with a smile. "You don't have to be formal with me anymore. There's no Royal Family left in my time and I much prefer for people to simply call me 'Zelda' these days." Daruk scratched the back of his head as he made a conflicted face.

"Well…I can't say it won't feel strange. But if you insist, I'd be happy to call you Zelda! You and Link are some of my best friends, after all!" Zel lit up and smiled.

"Thank you!" The grinning Goron turned to Link.

"How about you, partner? Any requests?"

Daruk was far easier to get along with than most people Link had ever met. Even back at Hyrule's peak, he hadn't thrust incredible expectations upon him, laden his shoulders with burdens that could have crushed him beneath their weight. No, from the moment Link had met Daruk, he had simply been a friend.

He was strong beyond measure, sporting the mind of a brilliant tactician and the resilience of a literal mountain. But he was also more than happy to relax with his companions and have a good time. He never saw Link as the 'Hero chosen by the Master Sword,' but instead as his 'partner.' That word was something Link had never been called before Daruk and it still warmed his heart even now.

"No, I'm perfectly fine. Just happy to see you again, Daruk. You've heard a lot about us, but how have you been since the Calamity was handled?"

"I've been just great! The monsters that were threatening Death Mountain are all but gone now, Rudania's having the time of its life guarding the volcano, and I didn't have to die!" He laughed uproariously for a moment before calming down again.

"It really is wonderful to see you alive in this world, Daruk," Zel insisted. He gave her a warm smile.

"It's all thanks to that little Guardian you built that came and saved us all." Link grinned up at him.

"So you had a descendant come through time to save you too?"

"Sure did! He was a little flighty but a strong, brave warrior and a respectable Goron."

"Was his name Yunobo by any chance?"

"Hah! Sure was! Should've figured my partner would already know what was going on even in a different world."

"We had some help from Urbosa and Mipha." Daruk frowned slightly, his voice lowering.

"How is Mipha? Sometimes I go south to check in on her since we got to be pretty good friends during the Calamity but recently she's been…real down." Link gave an understanding nod.

"She's doing a little better. Zel and I went to see her yesterday and she was pretty upset about a lot of things. But I think we managed to help her find her way forward again. It'll take some time though so I'm sure she'd appreciate it if you kept being there for her." Daruk puffed up at once.

"I will be; I'd never leave my friends high and dry." Zel smiled.

"I'm sure she knows that just as well as Link and I do."

"Speaking of you and Link," the Goron began with a grin, "don't think I didn't spy that engagement ring on your finger, Zelda! You told me you were romantically involved but you never mentioned you were going to be married!" Zel's cheeks reddened but she didn't get nearly as embarrassed as she had when Urbosa had called her out on it the other day.

"We are! There's still some time until our Kingdom will be rebuilt enough for us to enjoy the ceremony without worry so we're waiting a little longer. But it will happen soon!"

"I couldn't be happier for the two of you! Congratulations Zelda! You too, partner!" Daruk cried out, thumping Link on the back. Though he was caught off guard, he couldn't help but smile at the familiar sensation. It had been a long time since he'd experienced that.

"You know, it's funny,' Daruk continued. "I know the two of you aren't from this world but I just can't shake the feeling that I've known you both for years now. Guess it just goes to show how strong our friendship really is, eh?" He shot them a thumbs up and a wide, toothy grin.

"It sure does," Link agreed, his own smile nearly impossible to control.

"Sorry to interrupt," came a familiar voice. Zel's other self had returned, accompanied by Impa and her Link. It seemed like she was hiding something – there was a rather large object behind her that she was deliberately obscuring from view.

"You're not interrupting at all Zelda-sama, come join us!" Daruk roared, his jovial voice echoing across the courtyard.

"Thank you, Daruk. I have a surprise for you all! Well, really it's for Zelda, but I simply couldn't wait any longer to show her." Zel's ears perked up and she gazed questioningly at her other self.

"A surprise for me? Is it the same thing you were talking to Purah about before?" She gave a sheepish smile.

"You overheard that huh? Yes, it's the same thing. Tah dah!"

As Zelda stepped out of the way, Link's eyes fell on the Master Cycle. That was decidedly not what he had been expecting. His other self and Impa were keeping it steady though both of them wore faces with variable levels of concern. Zel gazed on in curiosity.

"That's the Master Cycle, isn't it?" Her past self lit up.

"It is! You know of it in your time as well?"

"Yes, Link went to great lengths to acquire it before his duel with Ganon."

"Link?"

"Of course." The past Zelda laughed lightly.

"I apologize for being so surprised. You see, in this world, the Master Cycle was built for me!" Zel's mouth fell agape.

"For you? You…actually ride that thing?" She nodded vigorously.

"I do! I was pretty hesitant at first but I made Purah and Robbie develop it for me as a way to have a little freedom in the face of our father. And though I usually don't like any mode of transportation outside of horseback, I have to admit the Master Cycle is truly a delight to pilot these days!"

"W-wow! I can't imagine doing something like that myself," Zel conceded, a look of admiration and nervousness on her face. Impa laughed from beside the vehicle.

"I wore that same face when she told me as well, Zelda-sama. I thought for sure something this dangerous would bring her harm…but I've got to hand it to my sister – she and Robbie really did a great job building it. It's very safe and she's become quite the skilled rider."

"Thank you, Impa!" the past Princess sang. She looked overjoyed.

"But Zelda," Zel continued, drawing her counterpart's attention again, "how is this a surprise for me?" A satisfied grin crossed the younger girl's face.

"I want you to try riding it!" Link stifled a laugh as Zel recoiled a bit, grabbing onto his arm.

"M-me? Oh no, I couldn't possibly! I don't want to risk damaging your personal vehicle! Besides, I probably wouldn't be very good at it anyway…"

"Oh, nonsense!" she continued, undeterred. "I felt the same way when I started but it was really easy to learn! Purah and Robbie built a kind of automatic balancing mechanism into it. When the Master Cycle is activated, it stays upright all on its on; you'd have to hang almost completely off the seat to tip it over!"

"B-but what if I crash into something?"

"You won't! It's just like riding a horse – you guide it with your hands and it follows your every whim! Although I'll admit, it's notably faster than a horse at top speed."

"Uh…I don't know about this…" Zel murmured, chewing her lip. Link gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

"I think you'll have fun, my love. If you want, I can show you how easy it is first?"

"That might…be okay…"

"My apologies, Link," the past Zelda spoke up suddenly, "but would you mind if I showed her how to ride? I'm so excited to teach my other self how to pilot this! The first time I rode it freely was one of the most exciting things I've ever done!" Link chuckled and turned his gaze back to his partner.

"What do you think? Would you be comfortable enough with her teaching you instead?" Zel continued to chew her lip for several seconds before taking a quick breath and nodding.

"Oh, why not?" she conceded at last. "After all, she's clearly done this quite a bit and she's still okay. And I have to admit…it does sound somewhat exciting." A tiny smile spread across her lips.

"Wonderful!" the other Zelda cried out. "Then why don't we move out to Hyrule Field together? I'll demonstrate the Master Cycle there!"


Link was both amused and impressed by the sudden carefree nature of Zel's other self. The young Princess had mounted the Master Cycle with zero hesitation and explained the process to Zel before zipping away and racing circles around the group. She even jumped a few times and did some rather concerning tricks which caused Impa and Link's other self to panic a bit. Daruk simply laughed and cheered her on while Link himself desperately tried not to laugh at the look of absolute disbelief on his partner's face.

Eventually she returned, quickly assuring her future self that she didn't have to jump and do any tricks to enjoy herself. Though a bit more reluctant now, Zel had accepted and began to study with her other self. Impa took it upon herself to watch the two Zeldas, leaving Link alone with his past self and Daruk. It was the first time he'd been together with his own counterpart in several days now. As they crested a nearby hill to get a better vantage point, and to keep Zel from feeling so much pressure from them all watching her, Link couldn't help but smile. Watching Zel with her other self was delightful.

"They're really something to watch together," Link admitted, grinning. Daruk laughed loudly.

"They sure are! You know, I really couldn't imagine what seeing two of each of you was going to be like when Link here told me. But looking at them, they almost seem more like sisters than copies."

"I think so too," Link agreed, a smile on his face as he watched Zel cling to the Master Cycle hard as she felt it sway to and fro. The balancing mechanism was safely activated so he knew she wasn't in danger of falling off. And after everything the past Zelda had done for them he trusted her to keep his Zel safe and calm.

"So what about you two?" Daruk asked. The past Link looked up at him curiously.

"Us?" It was the first time he'd spoken since arriving at the Ancient Tech Lab.

"Yeah! Are you two more like brothers than copies?" Link couldn't help but laugh lightly.

"I don't know about 'brothers' exactly, but he sure can match me blow for blow with a sword." His past self let a tiny grin appear on his face.

"Thanks."

"How long have you been using the Master Sword anyway? It took me a little while to get comfortable with it. The weight is so different and the powers it holds took a lot of adjusting to. You seem pretty comfortable with it though." His past self hesitated for several moments, considering him, before Daruk thumped him on the back and grinned.

"Lighten up, partner! It's not like you have anything to be worried about with him – he's you, right?"

"Daruk has a point," Link agreed with a smile. "I'm not going to make some emotional appeal to you, but you should know better than anyone just how my mind works. I'm not here to judge you or anything." The past Link sighed and nodded at last.

"…I believe that."

"Then in that case…?"

"I only found the Master Sword a short time before Ganon appeared. We were journeying through the Korok Forest and a dark prophet calling himself Astor attacked. The Sword called out to me during that battle and I was able to pull it free and use it."

Link resisted the urge to say anything that wasn't a direct response but he still silently acknowledged how strange the situation was. He hadn't heard his past self so much as utter a sentence of more than five words since arriving in this era. Hearing him speak more freely now was strange…it made him feel a bit self-conscious about his own voice.

"So you've only had the Master Sword for a few months and you were able to draw the kind of power out of it you needed to seal the Calamity that quickly? I'm impressed! You've clearly been making it your own since then, too, if our duel was anything to go by."

"Duel?" Daruk asked, his eyes widening. Link just laughed.

"We had a bit of a misunderstanding the other day. He recognized Zel under her hood and rightfully was suspicious of me. I knew he'd never back down so the only way forward was to fight him. It was a good match, too!"

"…I feel like that oughta concern me more than it does," Daruk murmured, scratching his head. Link's other self finally let slip a light chuckle of his own.

"…it was a good duel. You matched me at the same skill level and all you had was that broadsword. Not even a shield."

"I wouldn't say that; Zel was protecting me after all."

"I wanted…to ask you about that."

"Hm? About Zel?"

"Why does Zelda-sama fight with you? She's in more danger the closer to the battle she is. I'm sure she's every bit as strong as the Zelda-sama I know, but outside of the Calamity it seems like she shouldn't have to fight at all." Link smiled at the memories of their forays into the Depths together.

"While I'd normally agree with you, it's what she wanted. So I supported her completely."

"She…wanted to fight?"

"Not because she just felt like it. It was her way of coming to terms with what happened to her, coping with the traumatic things she endured when she slipped into the past last time…she wanted to learn to use her magic to fight and support me so she wouldn't ever have to sacrifice herself like that again. And even though I worry for her safety sometimes, I could never try to talk her out of something so important to her. Besides, if she's right by my side, I can always defend her."

"You…love her a lot." It wasn't a question.

"I do. I'd have done anything to save her back then. And I'd do anything to keep her safe now."

"…anything, huh?"

"Without a moment's hesitation." The past Link finally let a relaxed smile appear on his face.

"She's just as lucky to have you as you are to have her." Link blinked in surprise.

"Huh, I didn't expect that. How'd you know I used to wonder if I was enough to make her happy?"

"You're me, after all. Seems like the kind of thought I'd have." The two laughed together, Daruk watching them in amusement.

"Just so you know, I don't feel that way anymore – she's more than convinced me of that. But thanks for the confidence booster, I appreciate that a lot."

"…no problem."

"How about you, though?"

"Me?"

"Come on, there's got to be something I can do to make you feel the same way about yourself." His past self just avoided his gaze.

"What are you talking about…?"

"You know," Link continued, leaning in close and lowering his voice to a whisper. "Getting you to trust that Zelda might just have the same feelings for you as you do for her."

Link's past self turned away quickly. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't fast enough to obscure his rapidly reddening face from his counterpart who smiled knowingly before speaking again.

"Sorry about that; I didn't realize quite how much that would embarrass you." Daruk laughed jovially a moment later, thumping the past Link again and grinning.

"Ah, what's wrong with that? Makes perfect sense to me!"

"Daruk, keep your voice down please!" he hissed, glancing towards the Master Cycle.

Link did the same and smiled for a moment as he witnessed Zel slowly easing her way forward. She was managing to stay perfectly balanced now and though her face was nervous, Link could see that familiar gleam of confidence growing in her aquamarine eyes. She might not have liked the idea at first but her fascination with the device and the method of transportation was clearly winning her over. She'd have a delightful time exploring the specifics of why the Master Cycle worked the way it did later, he was certain.

"Sorry about that, partner," Daruk continued with a grin, though his voice was much softer now. "I think my future partner over there is right, though; Zelda-sama would be very lucky to have you by her side as more than just her knight."

"C-can we please talk about anything else…?" Link smiled and nodded.

"Sure. Sorry to bring it up; Zel and I had just been wondering exactly what your relationship was with her other self." The past Link took a steadying breath before returning to his usual stoic state.

"Mind if I ask another question?" Link was pleased that his reticent counterpart was willingly talking to him so much.

"Of course, go ahead."

"You refer to Zelda-sama so casually…how did that happen?" Link couldn't help but laugh at the memory.

"She made me. Right after I rescued her from Ganon and she obliterated him, I called her 'Zelda-sama' too. Her voice was gentle but she demanded I never address her by anything other than her given name again. So from that point on she was just 'Zelda.'"

"…and what about that nickname?"

"That happened after I told her I loved her."

"O-oh…" The past Link's face had turned a shade that rivaled the Hylian tomatoes back home.

"She confessed first, though," Link explained, remembering the night vividly. "But after we both said it…the next day I tried that nickname for her. She blushed so badly I thought she might faint. But she told me she loved it and asked if I'd keep using it. So she's been 'Zel' to me ever since."

"I love it," Daruk commented, throwing a thumbs up to Link. "The two of you together seems so natural, especially after all you survived together."

"I think so too," the other Link agreed.

"Thanks. I thought I might pass out when I proposed to her though," Link admitted, laughing again.

"Hey…Link…" That was new. His counterpart hadn't used his name like that before.

"Yeah?"

"I…need your advice." Another surprising set of words to hear.

"Sure, I'd be happy to help."

"…you too, Daruk."

"I'm all ears, partner!"

"Uh…see, I…Mipha…she…proposed to me…a few months back…"

Though Link, of course, knew this, Daruk's mouth fell open in shock. He probably would have been less stunned if he had quite literally been shocked by electricity. The Goron Champion sat down, his eyes wide as he pondered the thought. Link could only imagine how much suddenly made sense to him. Mipha being upset lately surely wasn't surprising anymore.

"She mentioned what happened yesterday," Link admitted. He didn't want to go into much more detail than that, even if it was a bit of a white lie to downplay it so much. Saying 'she sobbed into Zelda's shoulder and told me she resented herself' seemed like a step too far just for the sake of being honest.

"I figured she might've…I'm a little surprised she wanted to face you though. It's my fault if she didn't…but…" Link shook his head.

"She was a bit hesitant at first, but we had a really nice conversation and enjoyed our day together. You're worried she hates you, right?"

"…right again. Guess I really can't hide anything from you, huh?" Though his tone was humorless, the corners of his mouth drew up in a small grin.

"I doubt she hates you," Daruk began, having finally recovered. "But you had to turn her down, huh? That's why she's been upset lately." Link's past self winced at his words.

"…I didn't mean to hurt her. It's just…I can't think of anything more unfair than accepting her feelings like that when I knew my own weren't the same…"

"You did the right thing, even if it hurt," Link assured him. He didn't move, just gazed down at the grass.

"Hey, why don't you sit down with me for a while?" Daruk interjected. Link immediately lowered himself to the grass and, a few moments later, his counterpart did the same. His movements were slow and plodding though, as if the weight of his decision were pressing down on his shoulders even now.

"You know," Daruk continued, "sometimes things can't work out perfectly, partner. Every person has their own story, their own life. What we see of it isn't even close to all of it. You can only ever manage to relate to someone else so well, at least the way I see things. But Mipha has this knack for putting herself inside the head of someone else. Better than I could ever manage, no question. I'm sure she knows you didn't mean to hurt her, partner. If anyone would understand that, it's her."

"Wow Daruk, you've really become good friends with her huh?" Link noted, amused.

Daruk had always been the friendliest of the group of Champions and had deliberately brought them all together a number of times in his own world, but it seemed he and Mipha had forged an even stronger friendship in this timeline. It was good she had someone dependable and reliable like Daruk to look out for her too. She basically had a little brother and a big brother now.

"I guess so! I know this kind of situation is tough for everyone involved, but she wouldn't have been happy if you'd accepted her feelings just for her sake, partner. She'd want you to be happy too. And she'd feel even worse if she realized someday that you accepted her proposal just for her without any regards for yourself." The past Link sighed.

"…I know. I wish I hadn't broken her heart though. She cried like I've never seen her cry before…it kills me to think that I was the one who caused her pain that unbearable…"

As much as he didn't want to speak for Mipha, Link knew he had a different perspective to offer, one that might help his other self some. Maybe it would even help towards mending their friendship eventually.

"Link," he began, earning a surprised look from his past self, "I know you didn't want to hurt her. She's your best friend; of course you would never break her heart maliciously. I promise you she knows that. Her trust in you is just as strong as it's ever been, even now."

"How do you…know that…? What if she never wants to see me again? What if…I threw away my best friend on a chance that might not even pan out…?"

"You didn't. You really think Mipha would hate you for the rest of her life?"

"…no."

"She wants you to be happy; she told Zel and I as much yesterday. She needs some time to come to terms to with it all but I promise you she'll be okay."

"I probably have you to thank for that, don't I?"

"I can't say I fixed everything; she has a lot of healing to do on her own first. But I do think Zel and I managed to help some. She's strong, you know that. In the end, she'll get through this and find happiness. I know she will. She's my oldest friend, someone I know better than almost anyone else. I guarantee you things will be okay between the two of you eventually, probably sooner than later."

Daruk was watching with a warm smile on his face. Link had a sneaking suspicion the Goron Champion had known his presence would cause the past Link to open up to his future self. He may not have understood the situation entirely, but Daruk was perceptive. There was no doubt he'd seen that something was troubling the Link of this world when they'd met earlier in the day and put him in a position to figure it out as best he could. Link's thoughts were interrupted as his past self bowed his head to him.

"Thank you so much…for being there for Mipha." Link gave his other self a comforting pat on the shoulder. He figured he'd hate to be touched so he didn't dare try to embrace him the way Zel had done with her other self, but this seemed like enough to get the point across.

"You don't owe me any thanks for that; I want her to be happy too." He raised his head again.

"You really think we'll be okay in the long run?"

"Without a doubt."

"Even if…I actually wound up with someone else…?"

"Even then."

"How are you so certain?"

"Yesterday, Mipha told Zel and I over and over again how thrilled she was to see us together, how happy it made her. I know our situations are a little different, but I also know she'll be happy for you too. You're her best friend in the whole world – she wants you to smile for the rest of your life. I'm positive of that. And I think you know that too."

"…yeah. I know. That's exactly the type of person she is."

"Sounds like you oughta trust your future self here, partner," Daruk suggested with a warm smile. The past Link sighed before letting a small smile of his own appear.

"I think you're right. Link…thanks."

"Any time."

A comfortable silence fell between the group. Link's eyes instinctively wandered back to Zel's Master Cycle practice nearby. She was getting the hang of it, moving a little faster now than before. She was still hesitant and skittish but her other self's encouragement and coaching was proving quite effective. Who better to learn from than yourself, really? They would understand exactly how to approach you and didn't need to be nervous about any missteps. Besides, Impa looked nervous enough for all of them, chewing her lip and wringing her hands together every time the Cycle lurched forward or swayed to one side or the other.

"Oh, I had another request for you," Link's own past self said suddenly.

"What's that?"

"Show me what you can do with the Master Sword."

"Huh?" His younger self rose to his feet, patting the hilt of the blade slung on his back.

"You said you came into possession of the Master Sword years before the Calamity, right? Not to mention the years you've lived since you rescued your Zelda-sama. I want to see what someone who really knows this blade can do with it."

Link had to stifle a gasp of surprise as his counterpart offered a hand to him to help him up. If Zel had asked him that morning when they'd woken up if bonding with his past self was on the table for the day, he'd have told her it was incredibly unlikely, bordering on downright impossible. But this was a pleasant surprise, truly. It was nice to talk to someone who knew the exact way his mind worked…if a little off-putting once in a while. Even so, Link reached out and grabbed his other self's hand.

"Sure, I'd be happy to. You can probably teach me a few things too for how fast you've come into your own with it."

Link grinned as he was hefted to his feet by his younger self. The day had played out very unexpectedly so far but he didn't mind. In what other world could he ever experience talking with himself and practicing sword techniques with him? It seemed both he and Zel had the unique opportunity of spending some quality time with themselves today.


Zelda was shocked. She didn't like riding around on anything but a horse. A similar type of animal, she could handle – she had ridden on the back of a few Dondons in Faron Woods with Link before and that was okay. But anything more extreme really threw her off. The Lurelin Water Rally was only doable because Link had held her tight and steadied her. The same was true of Sand Seal surfing with Urbosa two days ago. She couldn't imagine riding on any of the contraptions Link had described to her from his adventure after the Upheaval and she never ever wanted to fly again as long as she lived. And yet, despite all of that…

Zelda was having the time of her life.

Her other self had patiently taught her how to operate the Master Cycle and now she was racing across the open fields of Hyrule. Something about it felt so natural. She was perfectly in control of her own movement with this vehicle. Her will was the only one that mattered. She could turn to the left or right whenever she pleased. She could speed up or slow down with a simple adjustment of her hand. The balance and weight of the device was perfectly suited for her. But it was the freedom of it that really captured her heart.

As she sped up, the wind raced past her, her short, golden hair flying around in the breeze. The rush was invigorating and satisfying. She felt like there was nothing in the world that could stop her. No one could slow her down or tell her no. No one could hold her back or keep up with her. It was no wonder her other self found it so freeing. Being trapped under her father's thumb for as long as she had been, drowning under the pressures of the coming Calamity…zipping around Hyrule Field like this must have been beyond cathartic for the young Princess.

Even now, so far removed from that era in her own world, Zelda couldn't deny that it was cathartic for her as well. It felt as if every worry and fear she had in her heart just melted away when she was riding the Master Cycle around like this. For how hesitant she had been and how much the idea of it had scared her initially she hadn't expected to react in quite this way. She was already starting to wonder if it was possible for Purah and Robbie to make her a replica of it for her back home…

Maybe Link could have one too. The one he had previously summoned had been a Sheikah Slate rune so he couldn't exactly employ that one again. But certainly they could make one for him too. Tailor it especially for him. What a sight they would be together, blazing across Hyrule on their respective Master Cycles, going from point to point and checking in on the rebuilding effort. Or just riding around the expansive Kingdom for fun together. Perhaps they could take trips on their Cycles instead of on horseback. Not every time, but just to spice things up once in a while when they traveled without transporting.

As her mind wandered back to Link so too did her eyes. Earlier, he had been demonstrating his abilities with the Master Sword for his other self. It seemed they had finally warmed up to each other, something that made her smile. Now, however, he stood next to Impa and the past Zelda and watched her with eyes that seemed to sparkle with pride and wonder. And perhaps just a hint of concern. It was very sweet that he was so careful of her safety. She really was amazed by how much he treasured and supported her. He never tried to keep her from the things she wanted. He even encouraged her to have fun and step outside her comfort zone in ways she never would otherwise.

Zelda lost herself to the wind rushing around her again. As she pushed the Master Cycle faster and faster, she found she truly understood her other self's words from before – it was one of the most exciting things she'd ever done. She was sure her eyes were sparkling. No doubt Link had already noticed.

After she had her fill of the stomach-lurching excitement the Cycle brought her, Zelda began to slow down again, returning to the group waiting for her. At some point, everyone had reconvened together and as she came to a stop by them everyone applauded her. She felt her cheeks flush just a bit but couldn't fight down the smile that stole her lips.

"You looked amazing out there," Link insisted, glowing with pride…and a little relief.

"Thank you! And thank you, Zelda, for teaching me! That was incredible!"

"Isn't it!? You should have one of these commissioned for yourself in your own world!"

"I was already wondering how possible that might be! I'll discuss it with Purah and Robbie once we return and see what they have to say about it. Surely the mechanisms on display here aren't impossible to recreate even without easy access to ancient Sheikah technology." Her past self waved a hand.

"For those two? Surely not! Between Purah and Robbie, I'm sure a brilliant solution will be arrived at!"

Zelda caught sight of Link as he stifled a laugh. She knew how much he enjoyed watching her become captivated by an idea like this and seeing it happen to two of her at the same time was probably intensely amusing.

"Did someone call my name?" came a strangely familiar voice.

Looking towards the Ancient Tech Lab's front entrance, a tall man with wild but carefully styled white hair was approaching, Purah and Terrako by his side. The Sheikah were carrying a few things between them, not the least conspicuous of which was Daruk's battery, seemingly repaired already. Terrako, meanwhile, scuttled along, beeping energetically with each step.

"Robbie!" Zelda called out, waving an energetic hand his direction.

"Zelda-sama! What a pleasure to see both of you at once!" His bombastic voice was as dramatic as ever but it brought a smile to her face. It had been a long time since Robbie had been young enough to be this over the top.

"Hey, I'm here too you know," Purah sulked. Impa just rolled her eyes.

"You've been here all day, sis. They didn't get to see Robbie earlier. Don't worry, though – Zelda-sama might have a request for you before she returns home."

"Oh? What's that?"

"She might want your future selves to make her a Master Cycle back in her own world. So you'll have to explain what you did so she can relay the information." Purah laughed as they stopped next to the group, gazing at Zelda herself.

"I guess you took a liking to it huh? Our Zelda-sama figured you might! But even though I helped on it, Robbie was really the mastermind behind that particular project. So he'll have to be the one to talk your ear off about it instead of me." Robbie bowed dramatically and gave a firm nod.

"I would be overjoyed to share the wealth of my knowledge with you before you leave us for your own world, Zelda-sama! The Master Cycle is my pride and joy and I trust completely that my future self will be able to recreate its magnificence flawlessly! Your vehicle shall be superb! Stupendous! Amazing!"

"Easy Robbie," Purah sighed, lifting the battery in her hand. "Daruk-sama, your battery is fixed! Some of the components had just been dislodged, probably just from moving around on the Divine Beast so much. If you have any more problems with it just let us know, but we tightened up all the connections and gave it a little tune up, so you should be good to go for a while now."

"Thanks, Purah-san. Rudania'll be thrilled!"

"We also brought lunch!" Robbie announced, gesturing to his own luggage. Indeed, it seemed they had procured quite the feast to partake in. "I suggested we invite you all back to the lab's dining hall but Purah had the brilliant idea to enjoy a picnic out in Hyrule Field!"

"Tone it down, you're way too much right now," Purah scoffed, her own eyes rolling in a way very reminiscent of her little sister.

"I simply cannot contain my excitement! To see two of Zelda-sama and Link right before my very eyes! I simply must thank my lucky stars for allowing me to live in a time where such an impossible event has taken place!"

"W-we're glad to see you too," Zelda assured him.

Soon, the picnic was set up and prepared. Zelda sat between Link and Robbie, Terrako happily taking up residence in her lap. The little Guardian beeped happily as she listened intently to the Sheikah scientist gush about the Master Cycle design. If she was serious about having one of her own, she really did feel like she knew enough to relay the concept to the Purah and Robbie back home…

Daruk sat between the two Link's, eager to spend as much time with his partners as possible. He even offered them some rock roast he had prepared and brought with him. Her Link nervously declined but the past Link seemed to take it as a challenge, seizing the rock and chomping it down until nothing remained. Despite looks of shock and mild horror she and her Link wore, nobody else even seemed to react. Only Daruk responded…and all he did was laugh triumphantly. What a sight that was…one that seemed to happen a bit too often as well…

Zelda's other self was happily chatting with Purah and Impa, her smile bright. It warmed Zelda's heart to see her past self so happy, especially in a time when Hyrule remained at its peak. She didn't want to imagine what things would be like for her if nothing had changed, if she were still wasting away in her tower, sad and listless for the rest of her days until she forcibly inherited the Kingdom. But that wouldn't be the case. She could live in peace and happiness.

Hopefully.

They still didn't know about Ganondorf. She was certain he wouldn't wake up in their lifetimes but…it still ate away at her. She felt guilty that they didn't have the knowledge they needed to at least prepare for the future. She had to tell her other self. And soon; they were due to leave in a few short days now.

"Zel?" Link's voice finally interrupted her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"You just looked a little lost in thought, that' s all. You okay?"

"Ah, y-yes, I'm fine."

He studied her for a moment. There was no way he believed such a poor attempt at lying; he knew her better than anyone, after all. But he also knew there must be a reason she was hesitating, so he let it go and said nothing. Her other self, however, wasn't as gracious.

"Link might know you best of all, Zelda, but even I can tell you're hiding something from me and feeling guilty for it," the young Princess noted with a grin. Zelda sighed and smiled back.

"Hiding something from yourself really is next to impossible, isn't it?"

"I'd imagine it's much more difficult when you're speaking directly to that self."

"You're right, though…something's been bothering me for a few days." Terrako beeped curiously as he shifted his gaze between the two.

"Is it something you're comfortable sharing here? Or would you rather wait until we can discuss things in private?"

Zelda considered her question for several long moments. This news really did affect all of them, especially Link's other self. And ultimately, Impa, Purah, and Robbie had all been forced to deal with Ganondorf's resurrection in their world as well; it wasn't impossible to think they would be caught in the middle of it in this timeline. Really, there was no reason to hide it from anyone else.

"No, it's okay. This is something everyone should probably hear. But…" Link gave her hand a comforting squeeze. He understood exactly what was on her mind.

"It's okay. Trust yourself. Or…you know what I mean," Link murmured. She giggled and felt the tension in her body start to dissipate. He was right, after all.

"All right…I do have something I need to tell you, Zelda. Something that will affect all of you. Something about the future of this world," she began, bracing herself. The younger Princess met her eyes, worrying swimming in her own.

"It's about that other disaster that befell you, isn't it?"

"It is."

"…what happens in the future?"

"I'll only tell you if you swear to me that you won't let it rule your life. You'll understand why I'm asking you to make that commitment when I tell you more. But I just can't live with the idea that you would ignore your own happiness, not after you fought so hard to earn it." The girl hesitated for several moments before finally giving in.

"Very well. I swear I won't let the information you're about to tell me rule over my life." Impa gave Zelda a warm smile.

"And I'll make sure she sticks to her word on that! You have nothing to worry about." That did more to ease her worries than most other assurances did. Between Impa and Urbosa, there was no way her other self would lose track of her own joy.

"Thank you, that really does help. Now…what I have to tell you might be shocking. You see, far beneath Hyrule Castle, in the forbidden depths that even the Royal Family is not to go, rests the imprisoned body of the Demon King, Ganondorf." The entire group save for her Link stared at her in abject shock, several mouths falling open.

"W-what?"

"The Demon King was sealed by the first King of Hyrule and our ancestor, Rauru-sama. He gave his life to imprison Ganondorf and keep him from destroying the world. But that seal has the potential to fail in 107 years' time."

"That's…a long time from now," the past Princess murmured.

"It is. Do you see why I asked you not to let this information hold dominion over your life? You will have lived yours in peace and happiness by then. There is nothing to worry about between now and his awakening…though there is nothing you can do preemptively to prevent it, either."

"Then…why tell us?"

"Because there might be a way to be prepared for it. In our era, the Master Sword was shattered by Ganondorf's unparalleled magic. Rauru-sama's arm still lingered, acting as a seal on the Demon King. I retrieved an artifact from it when Link and I found it beneath the Castle. It was that artifact that pulled me through time and ultimately resulted in my becoming the Light Dragon."

Purah and Robbie seemed nearly at a loss for what she was talking about – they hadn't heard the whole story, after all – but several other somber nods greeted her. She could explain it to them later and they were more than smart enough to deduce what had happened for now. She took a steadying breath before continuing.

"I…did it willingly. I chose that cursed fate by my own hands. I did it because it was the only way I could restore the Master Sword for Link to fell Ganondorf with. The only way to save this Kingdom I love…"

As she spoke, she felt Link's hand come to rest just above her knee. He very kindly didn't squeeze since he knew she was ticklish there, but she understood his desire to be close to her when she recounted this tale. It made her want to cling to him and never let go. Nonetheless, she soldiered on, intent on ending the story before it affected her as badly as it sometimes did.

"And it worked. Link was able to destroy Ganondorf with the Master Sword and restore me to my original body as well. It was a miracle that it was possible at all…but he did it."

"I am so beyond thrilled that you're with us today, Zelda-sama," Impa offered with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Impa. I really am too. But I tell you all that to illustrate a few things I believe will be important to focus on in terms of preparing for Ganondorf's resurrection."

"We need a way to strengthen the Master Sword first and foremost," her younger self proposed immediately. Zelda couldn't suppress the smile that stole her lips.

"You are as clever as I've come to expect!"

"That means more to me than you can know coming from you!"

"But you're right. The best chance you have at destroying the Demon King before he regains his full power is by strengthening the Master Sword to a point that it can withstand his magic. It's home in Korok Forest won't be enough. Is there someplace anyone can think of that might better temper the blade with holy magic strong enough to fell this beast?"

Everyone considered her words for several moments, pondering in silence. It soon became clear that nobody had the solution though, not even Zelda's past self.

"It appears we do not offhand, no. But I'll discuss it with Father and the remaining Champions as well. There has to be someplace that will do."

"I'll see if I can think of somewhere as well," Zelda promised. "Now, by the time Ganondorf actually awakens, you will be 124 should you still be alive. You won't be in any physical shape to fight the Demon King or journey to the past the way I did. I was hesitant to tell you about all this to begin with because of that fact. But Link reminded me of something obvious in hindsight – I would want to know. So I'm sure you feel the same way."

"You're both right. Thank you for telling me."

"I'll tell you more specifics about those artifacts too in a moment, but first I need to caution you against a few things. I only hope they aid you or a descendant of yours."

"I will listen intently," she promised, her eyes sharp and locked onto Zelda's own.

"The stone in Rauru-sama's green arm is the reason I fall through time. If you or your descendants touch it, it will bind to you and potentially carry you back to the ancient past where you will be stuck. The only way home will be to transform into the Light Dragon…to sacrifice everything you hold dear for all eternity, including your very heart. I don't want that to happen to any of you. Do not touch that stone directly while in Ganondorf's presence."

Link gave her a warm look. He had lived through the effects that event had had on both of them as well – the trauma they'd endured, the misery of losing each other again. It was almost unbearable to even remember. But she could almost see the glimmer of admiration in his eye as she tried with everything in her to spare others from suffering the same cruel fate. Hopefully it would work.

"But…how will we defeat him otherwise? You used that artifact yourself, didn't you?" her past self asked, concerned. Zelda gave her a smile.

"This world is entirely different from our own. Link and I were discussing the possibility several nights ago that Ganondorf may not wake up for two or three centuries more. If he drew power from the Calamity to awaken himself in our era, then he drew hardly any energy in yours for how quickly you quelled its wrath. All that is to say, I don't know precisely what will happen in your future but I don't imagine it playing out in exactly the same way our own did. If we could defeat Ganondorf without my needing to fall into the ancient past…I'd likely take that option."

She was only hesitant because of the opportunity she'd had to meet Sonia-sama and Rauru-sama. They were irreplaceable to her, people who had been etched into her heart forevermore. It was the very same reason she didn't mention their significance to her past self. If there was a chance she would be compelled to actively try to meet them…then she couldn't take the risk. Her admiration for the first King and Queen of Hyrule would remain a secret from them, only known to herself and Link.

"Very well. Don't touch the stone in Ganondorf's presence," the past Princess acknowledged. Zelda nodded again before taking a steadying breath. Everyone's eyes were glued to her but they said nothing to interrupt, instead awaiting her next words.

"This next thing is perhaps the most important. In our time, it was Link and I that ventured underground to investigate. Whoever it may be in the future of this time period, do not let them go alone. Send strong warriors with them, the strongest you can find." Daruk nodded gravely nearby.

"It's possible I won't be around then either by then, but from what I've seen, our future is in excellent hands. You have my word, Zelda, the most powerful warriors in the Kingdom of Hyrule will assemble to answer your prophecy for our future."

"I know this Kingdom can count on you, Daruk. Everyone will be in wonderful care with you watching over them." The Goron Champion grew a little bashful but managed a nod in response.

"Zelda," she continued, drawing her past self's gaze again, "I have one last crucially important piece of information to tell you. More than anything else, tell your descendant not to stand anywhere close to the edge of the platform Ganondorf is sealed on."

"Don't stand near the edge…?"

"I fell from that platform and was drawn through time. The artifact resonated with my magic to save my life but it ended up depositing me in the ancient past. As you can imagine, everything else stemmed from there. But if your descendant doesn't fall, they likely won't be taken to the past at all, perhaps even if they are forced to use the artifact in battle. Though if everything else works accordingly, together you will all be able to fell Ganondorf before he fully awakens and nothing else will matter from there." Her other self nodded firmly.

"I understand, Zelda. Thank you for telling us all of this. I won't let it rule my life but I'll come up with a plan to destroy the Demon King before he returns to power." Zelda smiled at last, her heart light.

"Link was right as always – trusting you with this information was the correct decision."

"The more I hear of your tales, Zelda, the more impressed by you I become. We feel like entirely different people when I look at our lives." Zelda shook her head, offering a gentle smile to her other self.

"We have each been forced to bear the burdens of a Kingdom on our shoulders. That alone is a monumental feat. You don't ever have to compare yourself to me. We are one and the same, after all."

"Thank you. You have no idea how much your encouragement means to me. To know what you've survived and still hear you call me your equal inspires me to rise to any challenge I might ever face."

"This Kingdom is truly lucky to be in your hands."

"It certainly is," Impa agreed with a soft voice. The past Princess drew a deep breath before answering in a voice that revealed the steel of her determination.

"I promise I'll protect this place from the Demon King, just the way you did in your era. He will never triumph over us."

"I know you'll succeed, Zelda. There isn't a doubt in my mind. Now, perhaps I should explain what the Secret Stones are." Several faces twisted in confusion.

"The…Secret Stones?"

"Yes, that's the name of the artifact I've been warning you about. There are several, but I'll need Link's help to properly tell you the story. He was the one who found them in our era."

Link sat forward and nodded, gently wrapping his arm around Zelda's waist – all this talk of the Upheaval must have brought back bad feelings for him as well. And yet all it took was his gentle touch for her to feel her heart flutter again.

"I'd be happy to help, Zel." The younger Zelda smiled at Link next.

"Thank you both for your willingness to share such a painful story with us. Please, tell me of the Secret Stones and I will hang on your every word."

"Of course. Let's begin."


As the sun set at the end of the day, everyone prepared to return to their individual homes. After asking Link and Zel an enormous amount of questions about the future they hailed from, Purah and Robbie had left a short time ago to wrap up some work at the lab, taking Terrako with them. The little Guardian was reluctant to leave two Zeldas behind but after they both assured him it would make them happy and they would play again later, he willingly went along with the scientists.

The past Zelda was going to transport Daruk back to Death Mountain so he didn't have to travel all the way back on foot. Her Link and Impa were, of course, going with her to ensure her safety. That left Link and Zel to head back to the Castle after they said their goodbyes.

The past Princess and her entourage had deliberately wandered away to give the couple from the future a chance to speak to Daruk alone once more. The Goron Champion wore a warm smile as he faced them.

"After that story you told us earlier today, Zelda, I'm even more impressed with the two of you. I always knew you were both impossibly strong but something like that? It goes beyond what even I thought possible for any one person to achieve." Zel smiled at him.

"But we didn't do it alone – we did it together. That's where all of my strength comes from."

"Mine as well," Link agreed. Daruk just grinned at them.

"I wonder if our Link and Zelda-sama will wind up being the same as the two of you." Link laughed lightly.

"I certainly wouldn't be surprised. It sounds like my other self is aware of his own feelings too. Keep an eye on him though, would you Daruk?" The Goron thumped his chest and gave a thumbs up.

"Just leave him to me! I'll watch him and make sure things go like they're supposed to."

"Between Urbosa looking out for Zel's other self and you looking out for mine, they're in good hands. We don't have to worry at all, do we Zel?" She smiled and nodded.

"Not even a little. Daruk, I know I said it earlier but it is truly wonderful to see you alive and well. It warms my heart like few other things in this world could manage."

"Thank you, Zelda. I'm really glad we got the chance to meet again after all that time in your own world. It makes me happy to see two of my dearest friends find their joy in life together."

"And it makes us just as happy that you can live out your life in full in this world."

"Thanks, Zelda. If it hadn't been for you making that little Guardian, Terrako, I wouldn't be here right now. I owe you."

"Would you be willing to repay me with a hug goodbye?" Daruk laughed and grinned.

"Of course I would!"

Zel approached the mountain of a Goron and hugged as much of his as she could get her arms around…it wasn't a lot. Daruk pulled her into a surprisingly gentle embrace and held her for several moments, a relaxed smile on her face. Link couldn't help but smile in turn. For as much guilt as he'd felt for losing their friends in their own world, he knew Zelda blamed herself more than anyone or anything, even more than Ganon himself. It made him so happy to visibly watch the guilt she'd held in her heart for countless lifetimes finally be eased. The existence of this world didn't erase the past of their own, of course, but the emotional catharsis of reuniting with their long-lost friends was incredibly powerful no matter the circumstance.

Zel finally stepped back, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Daruk wasn't done with embraces though. Before Link could prepare himself, he was yanked into a giant hug. Though he was taken by surprise at first, he relaxed and laughed. It was very much Daruk's personality to send him home with a hug too.

"It was so good to see you again, partner! You be good to her, okay?"

"Always. And it really was great to see you too, Daruk." The Goron Champion grinned widely.

"Can't wait till we get to meet again. I'm sure this won't be the last time, not if we've managed to find each other across different worlds now!"

"I bet you're right. I'll be waiting for the day we do this again. Maybe you can come to our world next time and see Death Mountain in the future."

"Now that sounds interesting. I'll look forward to it!"

Daruk finally released Link. He usually didn't like being hugged by anyone but Zel. This time, though…he didn't mind. It was nice to see one of the only people he'd ever been close to outside of Zel and Mipha and even better to see him as enthusiastic about life as ever.

"Oh, Daruk?" Link began.

"Yeah?"

"I think we're heading back home in a few days. Seems like the whole group's meeting up at the Castle to see us off."

"Hah! Say no more; I'll be there no matter what!" Zel grinned over at Link.

"It really will be a party now, won't it?"

"You said it."

The three laughed together, just the way they used to in the old days. It was different this time though – there was no Calamity breathing down their necks, no apocalypse just waiting to be unleashed. Their laughter now was relaxed and joyous, something Link had never really dreamed possible in this time period.

Their past selves and Impa returned a few moments later and prepared to transport the Goron Champion back to Death Mountain. After one last jovial smile and another reassurance that he'd be there to see them off as well, Daruk's massive frame vanished into the familiar blue light of the Sheikah Slate along with his escorts. Once the others had been carried away by the ancient technology, only Link and Zel remained.

"I'm really glad Terrako brought us here," Zel said suddenly, linking her arm with his and squeezing him close.

"Me too, Zel. I forgot what it was like to relax with friends like we did today. I don't think we ever really got the chance in our own world, not with this group of people."

"I think you're right. And seeing Daruk again was truly such a delight."

"It really was."

"You seemed like you had a great time with him, Link. I'm so happy."

"I did! Outside of you and Mipha, Daruk was someone I always trusted pretty unconditionally. He was someone I could talk to, even back when I had shut down on pretty much everyone else."

"And look at you now! You're even helping your other self open up." Link chuckled lightly.

"You saw all that?"

"Of course! It made me very happy, you know. How was it?"

"It was…nice. Strange, but nice. I'll tell you all about it tonight. But still, I'm surprised you noticed for how focused on the Master Cycle you were earlier." Zel giggled.

"It was pretty incredible learning to ride it." Link felt a warm smile steal his lips.

"It certainly seemed like you were having the time of your life out there."

"It would've been better with you."

"Maybe Purah and Robbie can make one with two seats for us then."

The couple laughed together for a moment before an easy silence fell between them. Zel sighed suddenly before speaking in a hushed tone.

"Though…today wasn't just fun and games…was it? I hope I didn't spoil the mood earlier…" Link leaned close and kissed her forehead.

"You didn't. I could tell they were all relieved that they knew what was coming. You did the right thing today, Zel. Now all we can do is trust them to live their lives for themselves while preparing for it." She drew a calming breath before smiling at him.

"You're right. Thank you, Link."

Zel leaned in and kissed him softly. Even after all this time, the touch of her lips still stole his breath away effortlessly. Their gentle embrace continued for several more moments before a particularly frigid gust of wind blew across the field, causing them both to shiver. The sun had all but set now and the temperature was dropping fast.

"Shall we head back to the Castle? It's getting pretty cold out here," Link suggested. Zel smiled and pressed herself up against his side.

"That sounds like a great idea. Besides, we'll get our fill of cold tomorrow anyway."

"True, Rito Village is the last place we have to visit, isn't it?"

"I doubt we'll convince Revali to journey down to the Castle just to see us the way Daruk wound up doing." Link laughed and wrapped his arm around her.

"You're definitely right about that."

"You ready to see him?" There was a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Nope," he shot back, grinning. "But it'll still be nice."

"I think so too."

"Then let's head back and rest up for the evening so we have the energy to deal with him tomorrow." Zel laughed as they began walking towards Castle Town again.

"Let's be honest – no matter how much sleep we get, he'll still find a way to take us by surprise."

"You know, he always did. And I'm sure that hasn't changed."

And the two made their way across Hyrule Field laughing at the prospect of meeting their last old ally. Link joked, yes, but he was still looking forward to seeing the Rito warrior again. It had been a long time and though they had their differences, a century certainly made them seem far more insignificant than ever before.

As the moon began rising higher into the sky, Link found himself looking forward to the next day.


7/23/2023


Post-Chapter Note: Thanks so much for reading the latest installment of my story!

When I originally conceptualized what to do with Daruk, I couldn't think of a whole lot. His character is simple but delightful - he's a wonderful friend and a fun guy to hang out with. I didn't think I could write an entire chapter about Link and Zel hanging around Goron City and chatting with him like I did with Urbosa and Mipha just for the fact that there's less closure needed with Daruk. He's alive and happy as ever and they're both thrilled to see him again. There's not much more emotional depth than that - they're all just great friends and happy to be reunited.

Then I realized that he was a perfect character to facilitate the past Link opening up to his future self more exactly because of his close relationship with (both) Link. And as it turned out, that became quite the compelling thread to follow this time around, even allowing us to glimpse more into Daruk's thoughtful side. We've seen Zel interact with her past self (and we see it more this time too), but Link's other self being so reticent makes him tough to put in a similar situation. I wanted to find a way for that situation to play out though and this seemed like a natural way to do it so I hope everyone enjoyed seeing a more open side of AoC Link!

Zel on the Master Cycle is something I wanted to do since Chapter 1 - I loved that concept in AoC and I love it now too! And of course, she finally told everyone about Ganondorf and what they'll be facing in the future. I had originally included this scene in Chapter 2 but decided it didn't really fit there. I like the way this one played out better, as well - having more characters listening makes the weight of her words stronger in my mind. Plus, it's fun to imagine what the AoC timeline would be able to accomplish with knowledge like this. Would they be able to destroy Ganondorf before he properly revived? Who knows, but at least they have a good shot at it now!

Anyway, that's enough out of me. I'm hoping Chapter 6 will take far less time than this one did. I finally have some ideas for Revali as well, someone I've been struggling a bit to conceptualize since the start. But I'm confident now that I can do something interesting with him next time. So until then, thank you all so much for reading! Take care and I'll see you again soon!