Remnants of Hyrule
The Forgotten Sacred Sword
The next few days passed like a dream for RWBY and JNPR. The Schnee, Belladonna, and Ren households were completed, as were the hallways connecting the Arc, Ren, Belladonna, and Schnee houses. In between the houses was a "gatehouse" of sorts with a doorway leading to a garden where Hearty Durians, Hearty Radishes, Hearty Truffles, and Hyrule Herbs were growing. Jaune had received something from King Ozpin from the treasury; the Trousers of Twilight. According to legends, they were once worn by a hero who battled the beasts of the Twilight Realm; but could not find evidence of this occurring as he did for the Hero of Worlds who traveled between the parallel worlds of Hyrule and Lorule.
These pants were a soft, armor-weaved flexible pants that were a grayish, off-white color that had tall, brown boots with decorative designs on the side of them stopping just below his knees. Jaune's saving of the Star Fragments proved useful; as the Great Fairies required these to upgrade the Trousers of Twilight. They, when fully upgraded, had the same strength as the fully upgraded Hylian Trousers, but were easier to move in than Jaune's Soldier's Greaves, and the off-white coloration made them less of a hassle to worry about getting dirty. Plus, if he was being honest, he liked the boots of the Trousers of Twilight better than the ones that came with the Hylian Trousers. Zwei, Yang and Ruby's Corgi puppy, often visited Blake's house; much to her surprise and horror. It seemed like the puppy wanted to be close to the cat Faunus, but her instincts told her to run and hide every time Zwei came near.
Currently, they were playing "Cards against Hyrule", with Yang being the "Card Queen" (instead of Card King when Ren or Jaune had it). Ruby, Blake, Weiss, Nora, Ren, Jaune, and Pyrrha shuffled their cards as Yang covered her eyes to prevent her from seeing who put what card down; making her decision completely neutral.
"Okay." Yang read, "How did I get cancer?" Each person winced. They felt sympathy for anyone with cancer, but this was a game. Yang pulled up a card. "The Monster's Rights group trying to get citizenship for the beasts that attack and kill others." She snorted at the thought. "The thought is certainly sickening enough."
She drew another card. "24/7 intimacy. Heh...Hero would know all about that! He's quite the lover and fiance!" Jaune blushed red as did Ruby and Pyrrha...Even Yang had a dusting of red on her cheeks. Gathering herself as the blush died down, Yang drew another card played. "Repeatedly apologizing for everything." She read off as everyone's gaze drifted to Pyrrha.
"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha said with a sheepish grin, making everyone roll their eyes.
"How did I get cancer?" Yang re-read the question card before drawing a card someone played, "The Yiga Clan." Yang rolled her eyes "Blame the evil ninjas for cancer." Weiss pouted as she huffed, making Ruby chuckle at the expression the dignified member of Team RWBY was making.
"How did I get cancer." Yang said again as she picked up another card. "A bad batch of sushi." She smirked as she gazed at Blake, who shifted nervously. "The world's first stomach cancer maybe."
"How did I get cancer? Was it surviving by eating Guardian Parts?" Yang read as she picked up another answer card and stuck her tongue out at the gross thought with a disgusted face. "How did I get cancer? Was it Nora's exercise program?" Ren ducked his head as Nora yelled for the training to continue.
"I have to go with 24/7 intimacy." Yang said, and Jaune nervously took the question card to her disbelief.
"What? I love spending time with my beautiful fiances, but growing up with seven sisters has given me enough knowledge that there are times you need to deal with personal hygiene issues!" Jaune said. Pyrrha, Yang, and Ruby looked at each other with sly looks as they stood up and stood around him.
"Did our fiance just call us beautiful?" Pyrrha said from behind him.
"And that he loves spending time with us?" Ruby said from his left.
"But understands that we need time alone?" Yang said as she wrapped her arms around him from his right. Just as Ren was about to speak up, Nora silenced him by wrapping her arms around him and kissing him passionately. Blake's eyes darted repeatedly from her book to the group in front of her as Weiss huffed and walked off to the hallway leading to her house. With that, Pyrrha, Yang, Ruby each took a turn kissing him, before Yang started whispering something into his ear while pulling his arm against her chest; making him blush with a goofy grin.
"Oh my!" Pyrrha said, as she heard what of what Yang was whispering and started tugging at her collar while diverting her looks to her chest as Ruby turned as red as her cloak and ran to her basement workroom. Once inside, she pulled out the salvaged AI of Sky Rose and inserted it into another Flying House Guardian body and sent a prayer to the Gods that it wasn't too damaged.
"Hello mom!" A feminine voice came from the body as it's propellers started spinning and lifted it into the air.
"Sky Rose!" Ruby said, hugging the little flying Guardian as Steel Rose wandered down the stairs.
"Sister! A pleasure to see you whole again! I see Mistress has fixed you." Steel Rose said as Ruby sighed.
"I hate to bother you, but something has come to my attention." King Ozpin said as he entered the Arc house as they were playing a war simulation game about Remnant. They instantly stopped what they were playing and turned to him.
"I have been hearing rumors of ancient horse bridles and a strange mask." Ozpin said, taking a sip from his cup, "As for why I'm walking around, I'm not dumb enough to do ALL the paperwork myself, I have assistants for that." He said, hiding his smirk behind his mug.
"Certainly we can find them, but what is the danger?" Jaune asked.
"It is said that the bridle can boost the stats of a horse, and we don't know anything about the mask...worst possible situation, it can have a dark power matching the tales of Majora's Mask." Ozpin said and they instantly got serious. The power of Majora's Mask was almost addicting to Jaune, who had a heart of gold...something like that in the wrong hands...
They teleported first to Hateno Village, where Ruby dropped off supplies of weapons and shields to her shop, and dropped off a new supply of Edge of Dualities. Jaune ran outside the walls and saved the truffle-hunting sisters from a red and silver Bokoblin and got an electro fruitcake. Afterwards they all met behind the Dye Shop.
"So, a mountain with a cherry blossom tree where strange beasts gather, and a book at the Woodland Stable for more information." Pyrrha said as she gazed at her Sheikah Scroll.
"I think I know what mountain they're talking about!" Jaune said after he thought for a few minutes, "Satori Mountain has a cherry tree I spotted when I went to a Shrine there!"
"What are we waiting for! To Satori Mountain!" Nora shouted as she jumped onto Ren's back. With a laugh, they all vanished in a blue glow to the shrine on Satori Mountain. When they arrived, crows scattered from all around them. After finding a couple Koroks, they found a small pond with a cherry blossom tree with petals falling into the water with Silent Princess flowers, Endura Carrots, and Hearty Truffles around the tree. Using Magnesis, they found the "EX" chest with the Ancient Bridles.
As they wandered around the beautiful mountain; taking in the scenery before heading off to the Woodland Stable, they found a cooking pot, some gems, and a Long Throw enchanted Forest Dweller's Spear. Jaune decided to restock their meals; making a Hearty Simmered Fruit, Energizing Honeyed Apple, Hearty Fish Skewer, Mighty Seafood Skewer, and Energizing Elixir. Smiling to each other, as Ruby yawned, they each curled up by the fire and dozed off.
Jaune awoke that night to see a Stalkoblin, Stalfos, and Stalblin forming nearby, so he ran and got their attention. He lured them away from the group and slayed each one with a few strikes of his Master Sword. His heart thumped in his ears as his eyes darted around and he sheathed the blade into the Protector's Shield. He knew he wasn't going to get sleep tonight. Thus, he wandered around Satori Mountain and collected a rushroom, a few hearty truffles, and some hearty Durian. Afterwards, he put on the Zora armor and greaves; leaving the headgear off, and removed his weapons and put them into his pouch and curled up in the somewhat warm waters of the pond filled with cherry blossom petals as he stared at the tree blowing in the chilly night wind.
"You might want this, it's a secret Rose Xiao-Long recipe to help prevent and deal with colds." Yang's voice came from behind him as he gazed at the heated bottle of milk in her hand that he took while smiling at her and Pyrrha, who were standing behind him in yellow and bronze swim suits somewhat similar to his Zora armor-minus the Zora scales-sold at Zora's Domain.
"Can't sleep?" Pyrrha asked gently as she and Yang climbed into the pond next to him. Jaune just nodded and pulled out three cups and poured the heated milk into them while making sure each cup got an equal amount before giving Yang and Pyrrha a glass and raised his with a smile.
"Just...nightmares." Jaune said quietly as they each took a sip of the heated milk, "I see...foul winds and storms on the horizon... in each dream, with a gigantic single red eye glaring at us."
"Is it...Ganon?" Pyrrha asked fearfully.
"No." Jaune said, "It's...something different...something with a similar power to make monsters, but is different."
"We can take them." Yang said, downing her drink quickly as she tucked the cup with the Arc family symbol into her pouch. "We worked together and brought an end to Calamity Ganon...we're the two teams of Hylian Royalty, heirs to the throne."
"Joy..." Jaune said, "I don't want to be a king! I can only hope Ozpin marries someone like Professor Goodwitch and has a child of his own to take over."
"Wait. You wouldn't mind being a Prince, would you?" Pyrrha asked.
"Princes can visit others and the land they live in more freely than kings can." Jaune said with a lopsided smile as he and Pyrrha finished their milk and put the cups into their inventory.
"I know how you feel." Yang said, "After adventuring for so long...I can't see myself staying locked up in a castle for most of the time." Jaune smiled at her as an owl hooted in a tree nearby and the water made a soothing sound as the wind gently blew small waves across it. They sky was clouding up as Jaune stood up and started changing into his regular clothes; knowing that Pyrrha and Yang were watching him.
He knew that it was only a matter of time until they were married when Ruby turned 21, and that afterwards-thanks to numerous talks with them-all of his fiances would be trying for children. Still, he would not gaze at them without permission when undressed. He repressed a shiver remembering the black eye his dad had-even WITH his Aura-that his mom gave him for accidentally walking in on her taking a bath. However, he put on the Snowquill Headdress as the air temperature dropped below freezing.
Yang and Pyrrha noticed that and also put on their Snowquill Headdress as they got dressed, walking over and kissing Jaune's cheeks and made him blush. They arrived back as the air warmed above freezing, allowing them to take off their Snowquill Headdress and put on their regular headgear (Diamond Circlet for Pyrrha, Hylian hood for Jaune, and Amber Earrings for Yang) as the others woke up at 4:25 am as rain started falling.
Blake said nothing, only making a confident smirk as she summoned her Master Cycle. They cautiously rode down the side of Satori Mountain until they reached the grass of Hyrule Field and headed in the direction of the glowing dot on their Sheikah Scrolls-the Woodland Stable. They crossed the Jeddo Bridge before their was a loud cry of "BIRDIE NO!" as Ruby accidentally ran over a Hyrule Heron. Ren sighed and got off, storing to only salvageable meat; the drumsticks. A Woodland Fox poked it's head out of a den, eying the heron carcass with interest but would not draw closer with them around it.
"Ruby...it's alright. It was an accident. This will help feed a cute fox." Jaune said as he hugged her, and she eventually wiped her tears away and they all drove off, with the fox running to eat as they left. They stopped once near Salari Hill where Ruby took out her frustration on a black Bokoblin until it burst into smoke and they used monster parts to refuel the Master Cycles until the tanks were full, then they remounted it and took off again. Partway across the northernmost section of Hyrule Field north of Hyrule Castle, they took out three giant Chuchus, two black Bokoblins on horses, and found two Koroks. Nearing their destination, Jaune jumped off to save the brother and sister treasure hunters from blue Bokoblins, who gave him a Spicy Meat and Seafood Fry. Their Sheikah Scrolls pinged as it registered the ruins of a town around them as the "Rauru Settlement ruins". Pyrrha's Semblance revealed a hidden chest with a Thunderstorm Rod that Nora snatched and gave to Ren. They stopped a mile away from the stable to deal with a Bokoblin encampment nearby, arriving at 8:45 pm that evening.
Blake then spotted a journal on the table that hadn't been there previously.
"The Mysterious Korok Mask." Blake read, making the rest of RWBY and JNPR curious about that mask, "Apparently, this Korok Mask really is inhabited by a spirit." Each Hunter drew a startled breath. It was already sounding bad. "If you wear it, it supposedly shakes and makes adorably weird noises every now and then. Maybe it does that to tell you when friends are nearby and you can't see them? Who knows! Some say the treasure chest containing this mask is hidden in a tree hollow in a forest that makes people lose their way." Blake looked up as each member of RWBY and JNPR said at the exact same time.
"The Lost Woods."
They teleported to the Shrine near the Great Deku Tree. Jaune expanded his bow stash by handing Hestu five Korok Seeds-having collected nine. As he headed to the Spore Store, Jaune froze in shock.
The place the Master Sword had been sheathed in had crumbled.
"After the Calamity Ganon was destroyed, the Gods destroyed the spot the Master Sword was hidden in." The Great Deku Tree said as the Koroks wandered around, "They feel it is ready to be passed down by hand through your bloodline with the ancient curse broken." Jaune gazed at the Master Sword sheathed in the Protector's Shield on his belt with a Royal Guard's Sword next to it.
"But be warned." The Great Deku Tree said, making Jaune look up at him, "The Winds of Evil are blowing once again."
"Does it have to do with my dreams? The foul winds and that lone eye?" Jaune asked as Pyrrha stood protectively behind him.
"It is as I feared then." The Great Deku Tree said, "The seal of the Four Sword is loosening around the Wind Mage, Vaati."
"Vaati? Four Sword?" Ruby asked in confusion, inwardly growing excited at the mention of the weapon.
"The Four Sword is a Sacred Sword created after the Master Sword was made. Imbued with the Elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind." The Great Deku Tree said, "When drawn, it splits the wielder's soul and makes four identical copies. But be warned...it also splits the users power among these copies until you sheathe this blade." The Great Deku Tree hummed thoughtfully, "Vaati is a beast with power over wind whose foul power can create monsters. His origins are scattered among the wind, and only sacred swords can destroy him; such as the Four Sword and Master Sword. If the Four Sword were to be drawn, Vaati would be released...but if this were to happen, it is possible that the combination of Master Sword and Four Sword could destroy him for good."
"Either way, we must be careful." Jaune said, summarizing the Tree's thoughts.
As Jaune gazed at the night sky, he saw a glimmer among the top of the Great Deku Tree. He climbed up onto the tree in front of it's face before launching upwards with Revali's Gale and landing in front of a Korok sitting in front of a leaf by a grassy toll with a puddle and colorful flowers.
"...Hmmmmm?" The Korok, named Walton, said, "*Yawn* And I was having such a nice dream...Wait, if you're here...Does this mean you want to face the ultimate trial?"
"I'll try it!" Jaune said with a confident smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"*Ahem* The ultimate trial...has begun! I'll tell you a riddle about an object. Your job is to solve the riddle and bring me the correct object. Here comes your first riddle! Small, red, round, and sweet! Bring me one of this simple treat!" Walton said.
Jaune, having cooked with them multiple times, put an apple on the leaf in front of Walton.
"Apple! It's an apple!" Walton said, doing a little dance, "That's it! THAT'S IT! You got it! *ahem* the next riddle is... Kakariko Village's specialty fruit! Its rock-hard flesh is quite resolute!"
At first, Jaune thought for a few moments, before the words "Rock-hard flesh" and "Kakariko Village's specialty" seemed to echo as he set down a Fortified Pumpkin, making Walton dance in delight.
"*Ahem* Your next riddle is...This sultry shroom will warm your bones. It makes its home in warmer zones." Walton said, and the Korok danced as Jaune set down a Sunshroom.
"*Ahem* The next riddle is...Its scales and tail will zap you, no doubt! This shocking swimmer is called a...fish." Walton Danced in delight as Jaune set down a Voltfin Trout.
"*Ahem* The next riddle is...This is the last riddle! Prepare yourself! If stepped on by this, you will go poof! It starts with an H and ends with an oof!" Walton started dancing as Jaune set an object down. "Lynel hoof! That's it! THAT'S IT! You got it! I knew you could do it, Mr. Hero! Here is your reward!" With that, the Korok gave Jaune a diamond. "I'm fresh out of riddles. You've outwhittled me...Very impressive!" Jaune floated down on his paraglider as the early morning sun peeked through the leaves of the forest.
After selling his diamond and buying supplies at the Korok-run shops, they gazed at the entryway to the Lost Woods from the Korok Forest. Teleporting to the Woodland Tower, they discussed possible locations of the mask; agreeing it would be better to search the true entryway first; as it was the place more people would get lost in. They followed the torches and eventually lit a portable torch that Jaune carried. After bumbling through the fog, they saw a purple chest with a gold "EX" on it in a tree with what looked like an "open mouth" making a hollow cavity. Inside, was the Korok mask; a mask that let someone know if there was a Korok hiding nearby.
Jaune tucked it into the inventory pouch. "Mission accomplished." Jaune said with a smile, before a powerful wind blasted the the woods, knocking them to the ground.
"What was THAT?!" Yang asked as she prepared Ember Celica.
"That wind...It has to be Vaati!" Jaune said, making them gasp and rush to the North of the Lost Woods. The wind gusts would pepper them with gravel, sticks, and leaves as fog was lifted until they reached the northernmost area of the lost woods, where a golden sword with a green gem at the end of the hilt sat in a stone pedestal with a stone wall depicting a one-eyed beast with four swords stabbed into it's back with chains around it. Dark smoke poured from underneath the sword as it shook in the pedestal before a tornado formed and a dark beast rose as the sword flew into the air, sheathing itself in the ground in front of Ruby. The beast was a dark blue, almost black coloration, with an upside-down crescent moon shape on it's back and a single red eye staring at them menacingly with a gold outline. There were four, small, bat-like wings on the back and two on each side of the crescent shape on it's back. Two long arms protruded with bat-like wings going down it with two sharp claws on it's hands.
Ruby grabbed onto the Four Sword and she started to glow before there were four glowing outlines, revealing Ruby holding the Four Sword with a Ruby in a green hood with a Four Sword that had a red gem, a Ruby in a blue hood that had a Four Sword with a blue gem, and a Ruby in a purple hood with a Four Sword with a purple gem. Jaune activated his Sheikah Scroll as a tornado formed under Vaati, and the bomb was pulled into it and exploded next to the beast. It let out a loud roar and a blast of wind sent them flying into trees that were knocked over. There was a loud roar and the beast vanished into shadows.
They each awoke to a ruined clearing with the stone wall crumbled and the stone pedestal of the Four Sword in rubble. Each person looked in shock as the four Rubys gazed at each other, mirroring each other's actions in curiosity.
"It's so cool! We can read each other's minds!" They all said at the same time, "Jinx! Jinx again!"
"So another beast has been freed, with power over wind and the ability to spawn monsters...yet thankfully not as dangerous as the Calamity Ganon." King Ozpin said as he was in a video conference with Beacon Staff, as well as RWBY and JNPR.
"The Great Deku Tree said that the seal was loosening." Ruby said, back in one body with the Four Sword sheathed in a custom sheathe she built that deployed into what looked like an unbreakable Royal Guard's Shield with a rose design. Without a sheathe, she would have been stuck in four bodies, but having four of herself with their minds linked made the process of making the shield/sheathe easier...but they also had different personality traits, while she retained her "original" personality, parts of her traits were divided among the other three bodies.
Purple was her aggression and determination. She was the most "battle hungry" and foul tempered among the four...and to Ruby's dismay a large chunk of rupees put away for her "cookie fund" was now in her "swear jar" thanks to Purple. Purple often went straight forward to what she wanted...and everyone blushed at the dirty things she said she wanted to do to Jaune.
Blue was her childishness and laziness. Blue loved laying on the ground, staring at the passing clouds, or taking naps. However, she found joys in the simplest things, be in a butterfly landing on her finger, to helping out with a forge, or even a freshly baked cookie. Blue had the most self-doubts of the four Rubys, and was prone to crying when things went wrong. Because of these doubts, she often took naps; somehow waking up long enough to shout "It wasn't me!" before falling back to sleep.
Green was her motherly, caring side. She was the most similar to the "Original's" personality, but was prone to babying the others and soothing Blue when she was upset. She not only was the most optimistic, but also the voice of reason when the other three started arguing; usually about Purple's foul language. Green would take in injured animals and nurse them back to health...which lead to a Woodland Fox staying near their house, despite the animal usually being very shy and skittish. Green also found joy in helping Jaune cook; taking pride when the others enjoyed her cooking.
When the sheathe was finished, Ruby slid the Four Sword into it and the copies glowed before merging back into her. When she drew the Four Sword again, the copies each had a copy of her shield/sheathe. Putting the Four Sword back away, Ruby gazed at the Sacred Sword at her hip with a small smile; before yelling at her reflection in a mirror while pointing at the now full swear jar.
"We got there just as the seal broke." Jaune added, "This Wind Mage; Vaati, basically is a monster with power over wind and the ability to spawn monsters. Unlike WindGrimm Ganon, I do not see any Guardian Beam launchers, but other than what I listed, his abilities are unknown."
"This is a most concerning development." Doctor Oobleck said as he sipped coffee from a thermos, "We currently have no idea of it's location in Hyrule, and if it can control the winds it can cause havoc among the climates. It could possibly even turn the Gerudo Desert into quicksand by super-heating winds among the arctic mountains north of it and the melting snow mixing into the desert after it slides down the mountains. Or it could prevent rain in needed areas or flood other areas with immense rainfall by trapping the rain clouds in one location."
"I noticed it was much smaller than Calamity Ganon in it's true form." Jaune said, "Even the smoke form of Ganon was larger than Vaati."
"Even if not as dangerous as Ganon, we have to be careful with it. It can cause a lot of damage to Hyrule if let unchecked." Opzin said.
"We'll take care of it." Yang said as she threw her left arm around Jaune, "The Deku Tree mentioned that the combination of the Four Sword and Master Sword may destroy it for good!"
"I knew you would, just like you accepted the daunting task of destroying Calamity Ganon when without your memories." Ozpin said, "Nevertheless, I'm allowing Hunters onto Main Hyrule to help take care of any Grimm or Monster spawned by Vaati. Even if their weapons can't hurt it, they could still drive it off and take out any monster it creates."
"I'll also start looking into old stories and legends of Hyrule outside of Calamity Ganon." Doctor Oobleck said, "Hopefully, we could find something that could point to a location it hides at."As Oobleck zoomed off with the camera shutting off, the screen lowered onto Ozpin's desk. Ozpin stood up and gazed out the window over the land of Hyrule.
"It is fortunate that you found the Four Sword when you did." Ozpin said, making a RWBY and JNPR look up at him as he turned back at them, "It was quite possible that Vaati was trying to do the very thing Calamity Ganon did 100 years ago. With you witnessing his release, he has lost the element of surprise." Jaune gazed at the others as Pyrrha almost looked angry at how Vaati was able to escape.
"It seemed to be hurt by explosives." Jaune said, making Opzin gaze at him intently, "I launched a bomb at his wind and detonated it next to him. It seemed to let out a roar and stopped forming winds for a split second."
Ozpin gave a slight smile, "This information is most helpful. That can be a way to stun it to deliver blows with the Sacred Swords. Not only that, but you have access to your Silver Eyes power and Sealing Powers to help destroy it when weakened enough like Calamity Ganon."
JNPR and RWBY looked at each other in excitement. "There was enough damage to Beacon that it will postpone the start of the first semester. Hopefully, we can start by the time Vaati is destroyed for good." Jaune nooded with his expression schooled like Link once had. He turned to the door leading to the main hallways of the castle.
"When I finished the Trials of the Sword, I saw the monks that made the trials...they asked me to protect the land of Hyrule." Jaune said, keeping his gaze schooled at the door. "For a while, I started believing that Hyrule was almost completely free from evil...but I was mistaken, I guess. Evil takes many forms, lingering in the hearts of the bitter and greedy. It's why the Yiga Clan were so big...But I made a promise...to Protect Hyrule and those I care about to my dying breath...and I will do so." After that, Jaune left the room as he kept his gaze at the carpet of Hyrule Castle.
"Nice speech back there." Yang said, making a smile tug at his mouth as she moved by his side, "But you forgot one thing...You're not alone." He felt Pyrrha grab his left hand as Ruby clung to his back.
"We're in this together!" Ruby said, lifting a fist into the air excitedly.
"And we're partners! In every definition of the word!" Pyrrha added with a serene smile, "With Nora, Ren, Blake, and Weiss helping us as our teammates, there's no way we can fail."
"Thank you..." Jaune said as he felt a smile spread across his face, "Now...we have a demon to slay!"