Terrako. That is the name given to the strange guardian by the Princess it had as its master. In a time of crisis, when all seemed lost, it traveled to the past to rectify it, to protect its master.

It successfully carried out its duty. The Calamity was defeated. But not all went as expected for Terrako. It had to call on help. Help from warriors of a far off era. It had no need to think of the era it brought them from, and they were sent home once the purpose was fulfilled.

But it was unaware of what it had done. It didn't change the future it came from. Rather, it created an alternate future, of which it now resided. But it was still connected to the future of its origin. This connection was what allowed it to bring forth the allies it had called on.

The split timeliness need not reference each other in terms of time passed. They are separate futures, in essence one is to be called Post-Calamity, and the other is Post-Upheaval (for the sake of reference)

A catalyst will soon link these futures once more, each during a time of relative peace and reconstruction. Both have experienced a near-end, but even the smallest problem cannot go unaddressed in peacetime.

THE STORY BEGINS NOW

POST-CALAMITY FUTURE

It had been 2 years ago that the Calamity nearly destroyed the kingdom of Hyrule. The Royal family had prepared tirelessly for it, but it was almost all for naught.

It was a series of miraculous events that enabled them to triumph. The efforts of the Princess, the hero, the champions, and the combined might of the Kingdom sealed it away.

Much damage had been done. Reconstruction became a priority in the time that followed. It was now, through the tireless efforts of the people, that things were returning to normal.

During the war, the Yiga initially sided with the monsters, but switched sides to form an alliance. Some were hopeful that this meant a change in their attitude.

But others, especially the princess, knew otherwise. As soon as the war was over, the leader of the Yiga, Kohga, declared the alliance abolished. That said, the Yiga weren't a threat. They needed time to rebuild the power they lost when Astor betrayed them. For now, Hyrule didn't need to worry.

There was, however, a concern. One year after the war ended, much of the Shiekah tech acquired by researchers ceased function. At first it was just the remaining large Guardians. But then the furnaces shut down, and the even the Shiekah Slate and Runes that were used in the war. The Divine Beasts even vanished without a trace.

It was indeed strange, but the majority dismissed it. Some were even hopeful that it indicated that they completed their purpose, and that had been the last Calamity.

But Princess Zelda was worried. Not for the kingdom, but for her friend, Terrako. Her friend who happened to be the last remaining sheikah relic that functioned. Eventually, she took Terrako to Purah...

"I understand your concern, Princess. Though in my opinion, it might be said that Terrako is enough of an anomaly among Guardians to have escaped whatever went on with them. The last relic to cease function happened a little less than a year ago. Terrako has lasted since then with no issue." Purah gave Zelda her honest take in due order.

It was in a living quarter connected to one of her many laboratories. This one in Castle Town. In the room was Purah, Zelda, Link, and Impa. The subject of the discussion, Terrako, was being carried in Zelda's arms, looking around the room with its blue "eye".

Zelda nodded, but the loom on her face indicated she had something to say "Actually... I had considered that. But lately... I've seen strange changes in Terrako. The main thing is it often... freezes. Not moving. Then act... as if it woke up from a dream, if I had to describe it. There are other small changes, but recently..."

Impa sighed, "Princess, I understand the need to give her as much as possible to go on, but please tell her what startled you this morning. We can discuss the other details later."

Purah narrowed her eyes "This must have been big. You are not the paranoid type, your highness."

"Right. The thing is... there was an attack. I had to cancel my visit to Zora's Domain because a Yiga agent attacked me as we departed."

"Hold on WHAT?!" Purah cried, "How?! I thought the Yiga were laying low!"

"They are." Impa said in an assuring tone, "This one is acting alone. We've had him on our radar for a while now. A former standout among the blademasters, now going by the name of Raiga. Apparently he came across some strange power and is hoping to gain favor with Kohga by using it to strike the Royal family."

Link grunted "He's never gotten this close before. That strange mist... Where did he get it? I took care of him and he fled, but when Terrako came on contact with the mist... it glowed. For a few seconds, it's eye turned green instead of blue... and it flashed for an instant."

Purah listened to the story, face scrunched up in thought.

"This might have to do with those strange parts on Terrako. I've told you this, Princess, but Terrako is not your standard Guardian. When we repaired it after the war, that became apparent. The closer you go to the center, you see parts and mechanics that don't resemble anything in any other Guardian, or any relic that we know of."

Zelda leaned in, "I remember! I was hoping to look into it soon. You said it was possible Terrako was a prototype of sorts, a first version building on some mysterious technology that predated the ancient sheikah!"

"It's also why I'm sure Terrako is safe from whatever happened to the other Guardians. But I couldn't figure out much more. If I could get your approval... could I have another look at it? I promise to keep Terrako functional! At least when I'm done!" Purah suddenly lit up, inspired and motivated.

Zelda nodded, then stroked her little friend "Behave for Purah, Terrako. Can I trust you?"

The little Guardian whirred. It seemed nervous. Understandably so. But it seemed to consent.

Leaving the Lab, a messenger from the castle approached.

"Your Highness! We have a visit from Lady Mipha and Lady Urbosa! They wish to see you!"

It was unexpected that they would drop by. Zelda hoped her cancelation hadn't offended the Zora in any way. She had even dispatched a messenger from the Shiekah to explain the circumstances.

"And Lady Impa! Sir Ertis has asked to see you!"

Impa got a complicated expression. Ertis was her fiance. He had proposed after the war, and they had been dating before, quite happily. She knew he wanted to discuss the wedding planning. She had actually been avoiding him, as well as her staff who might ask.

It wasn't that she was having second thoughts, but it seemed too soon after the chaotic times of the Calamity to her. She was also never the type to show weakness, and was aware of her own emotional turmoil on the issue.

"Impa." Zelda said to her, "Talk to him. That's an order."

Zelda, for her part, could sympathize, but felt Impa was being needlessly hesitant.

That said, she also had no place to criticize. She had developed feelings of her own for the knight standing beside her. She couldn't really tell if he reciprocated, and even felt silly occasionally for entertaining that he might. He voluntarily stayed on as her personal guard, even when he was given the option to return to normal life after the Calamity. His duty was finished, but he chose to stay.

Regardless, they departed back to the castle.

It was in a guest room they met their two comrades. Impa had gone to a separate room to meet with Ertis.

"It is good to see you both! I apologize for not being at the domain today, Mipha." Zelda opened.

Mipha shook her head, "It is nothing to be concerned about. It couldn't be helped. If anything, I'm happy you are both alright!" She smiled at Zelda and Link.

"It's a shame, though. We were looking forward to going. At least we get to see you here." Link said.

"You are always welcome there, Link." Mipha responded but averted her gaze slightly.

After the war, Mipha had planned to gift Link with armor she had made for him. Armor with special meaning. In short, she wanted to propose to him, the man she loved.

Her feelings still held, but during the aftermath, she saw a change. He seemed devoted to the princess. He stayed on the duty he seemingly fulfilled. He even spent time with her personally. Mipha could see in his eyes and actions. He still cherished Mipha... but his heart lay with the princess.

Mipha had wrestled with that for a while, and she concluded that she could accept it, even if it hurt. Link's happiness meant everything to her, so even if that happiness was with Zelda and not her, she wouldn't interfere.

Though this did leave her own future uncertain, since she had, for her own reasons, renounced her claim to the Zora throne. She was currently focused on helping educate her brother, Sidon.

"It means a lot that you came out anyway... but is there a problem?" Link asked.

"If there is, let us help. Lady Urbosa, is there anything you need, too?"

Urbosa shook her head lightly "I merely came to make a request. It's not urgent. If anything, I'd like to hear more about this arrogant Yiga ape that attacked you so I can assist. But Mipha? You go first."

"Well... it's Sidon. His education for the throne had been going well. But... it seems he's behind on water manipulation."

As Mipha explained, her renouncement of succession rights had caused a stir among the ministers. Mipha was beloved among the people, after all. There was no doubt she would make a splendid future queen.

They were assuaged when Mipha brought up the events of the Calamity. Namely, the Zora from the future Terrako had brought.

That Zora was a grown version of Prince Sidon. Though he strangely never met with King Dorephan, putting all his efforts on the battlefield, soldiers who saw him in action testified that he had outstanding strength, a valiant attitude and a charisma worthy of a king.

The matter was considered settled two years ago, but now Prince Sidon was 37, and had yet to show any signs of water manipulation that all Zora possessed. Other children his age had all started using it. He was frightfully behind in that regard.

This brought up old concerns of his fitness among the older ministers. Some were beginning to speculate the true relation between their own Prince and the warrior that fought in the war.

They speculated it was not Sidon, but a far distant descendant of the same name. Or perhaps an imposter.

Mipha knew they were wrong. She had interacted with that Sidon. Even if he hadn't called her "Sister", she could tell they were one and the same Sidon.

"The other soldiers have attested as well. If he had ever been in front of them, they wouldn't doubt either!" Mipha protested, then looked down sadly "Sidon knows what they are saying. He is trying so hard. If he could only begin to make progress, he could silence their dissent... I was hoping you could perhaps assist. I know Hylians don't use the ability we seek help with, but perhaps your scholars could help teach him... or figure out what is holding him back."

"Mipha..." Link uttered sympathetically, but then sharpened his eyes, "There's something else, isn't there? Something's bothering you..."

Mipha froze, then smiled again, but this time in resignation, "It's more a thought I've had... a vague notion... but... Can I tell you both in private later, perhaps?"

"I suppose... we'll hear you out then." Zelda decided to move on, though worried why she didn't want Urbosa to hear, "Urbosa, you had a request, didn't you?"

"I do..." Urbosa trailed, her mind seemingly on the thought of what Mipha might be hiding, before regaining her focus "It's nothing that ominous. You remember Shirana, my daughter?"

"Oh, yes! How is she?!" Zelda perked up. She didn't get to see Shirana as often as Urbosa, since young Vai couldn't leave Gerudo Town until a certain age, but she was fond of her. 2 years younger than herself, she made her visits to Gerudo Town feel like she had a younger sister to visit. That said, it had been over 4 years since she had seen her. Her training to awaken her sealing power had begun in earnest, and all visits revolved around it until the Calamity happened, and her time had been consumed with recovery and reconstruction since then, keeping all outings still strictly business. The Zora's Domain excursion was to be the first where she would find time to relax during.

"Actually, she has reached... that age." Urbosa responded, a complicated expression of pride and concern on her face, "In 3 days she is to strike out on her own in search of a husband, as is tradition. I'm hoping she can at least find lodging here. I've already visited my husband, and he was enthusiastic about taking her in. I only ask for consideration on the Royal family's part."

Unlike most Gerudo, Urbosa had to depart back to Gerudo Town soon after she conceived her daughter.

This was because of her position as chief, or chief's heir at the time. Her mother had been in ailing health, so her married life had been cut short. Shirana wasn't able to meet her father and communicated with him both through letters and through her mother.

Urbosa's husband was named Vistro, a former mercenary who had operated as a bodyguard and monster hunter for hire when he met Urbosa. He had served as a lieutenant in the Hylian army during the Calamity, and currently resided in a basic barrack in Castle Town. He always looked forward to visits from his beloved wife whenever she came by and asked about their daughter often.

"He's still a good, earnest man, but his living quarters aren't suited for more than one occupant." Urbosa said with a wry grin, "I was hoping for consideration to grant him a more suitable living space. And... while she's here, could you look out for her? She's gotten a bit headstrong, not unlike you, I suppose. She is eager to see you again."

"Consider it done. You have asked for so little in the time we've been recovering, we still owe you do much. It is the least we could do!" Zelda assured her.

She still needed her father to grant the request fully, but she doubted he'd have reason to refuse. He was a lot softer and more reasonable now, practically doting on his daughter in almost unrecognizable contrast to before. It was as if he was unloading the way he had always wished to treat her but had been held back by the sense of crisis, urgency, and his duty to protect Hyrule.

"I figured you would. But it's still a load off my shoulders. She was upset for a while, you know? Seems she was disappointed that she never got to meet Riju."

Shirana had been charged with safeguarding the children and elderly in the underground shelter during the point when when the warriors from the future had arrived. Urbosa had promised to introduce them, since Riju was her descendant as well, but the final battle came, and the visitors were called back to their own time.

"It was brief, but I still felt guilty."

The requests were now in. Zelda turned to Mipha, ready to ask if she could talk once Urbosa left, but Link notified her the time.

"We can talk after dinner. We've been out most of the day and skipped lunch already."

It was time for dinner, and Link was right. He worried Zelda was overworking herself, as well as being himself hungry. The last part he didn't say, but Zelda giggled slightly, having been able to tell. Link blushed a bit when he realized she noticed.

"Care to join us? Father will be there, and we can discuss the matter of tutors for Sidon and a nice villa for Shirana."

An hour later, as they were finishing up discussions over a meal, Purah was in her lab, investigating the inner parts of Terrako in earnest.

Needing to be thorough, she called in her equally eccentric colleague, Robbie.

"This report of green light might give us a clue on these parts..." Purah noted. She noticed zero response from Robbie, who was usually more talkative. Under normal circumstances, she'd appreciate that change, but she knew why, and it also meant he wasn't concentrating on the job.

"Hey! Focus! Getting dumped is no excuse for sloppy work!" She snapped at him.

"Shut up! You gotta lotta nerve calling me in! I took off because of my despair! My broken, shattered heart!" Robbie moaned, his exaggerated voice and gestures filled with anguish.

Purah was unsympathetic, however, "This is the fourth time you've been through this, you drama queen! Cherry, Remona, Violet... add Cera to the list of lovers who've spurned you, and only two have actually dated you! How you are still employed as a researcher with three 'Broken Heart Retreats' in succession is beyond me!"

Robbie recoiled, as if in horror at the unfeeling monster that was Purah. Purah merely snorted and returned to her work. She then noticed something.

"See this? Every other time we've seen this part, it was a translucent yellow. But now..." she examined a small cylinder near the mysterious power source of Terrako. It now had a strange substance in it, almost like it was now a gauge filled at 80%. It was compressed, light gray.

"Is this... that smoke stuff that came into contact with Terrako?" She had it as a black, misty substance. Almost like thin, dispersed Malice. Here, it was compressed, and semi-illuminated. She decided to take out her own contained sample to compare.

Going to a nearby desk, she took out a specially made vial, with a small bit of the strange mist contained within.

The rogue Yiga member, Raiga, had been causing trouble for the army lately. This mist weapon of his seemed to corrode weapons, making them brittle.

It wasn't known where it came from, and reports suggested it wasn't Raiga's own power producing it. Rather, he brought contained amounts with him, and would flee when either cornered or he ran out of mist. Efforts to locate his hideout were currently underway.

Purah brought the vial over, holding it next to Terako to compare it to the substance in the strange gauge.

"Huh...? Hold on!" Robbie snapped out of his stupor when he glanced over and saw the gauge glow. Terrako, at that point turned off, snapped back online... but differently. It's normally blue glow was green... and bright.

Purah reflexively backed up, shielding her eyes from the flash. When she uncovered them, she looked at the vial. It had shattered, and the gauge... was no longer 80%. It was FULL.

Terrako was now operational, and still green. The casing and spare parts around it started reataching themselves as well.

It was bizarre. They gained the kind of hue that had previously been seen on objects under the effects of Stasis. But they were moving. A strange ticking noise reverberated through the area, stopping once Terrako had reassembled.

But it wasn't over. Terako did something it had never done before...

"CONDITIONS MET. SUFFICIENT TRACE GLOOM DETECTED. CALIBRATING MEMORY BANK... CONSTRUCT IDENTIFIED AS NAMED: TERRAKO. MASTER SERVED: ZELDA."

Both Purah and Robbie were too stunned to move. It was happening too fast. Terrako had only ever "communicated" through beeps, whistles and gestured before. This whole time, it could TALK?!

"FOREIGN MATERIAL DETECTED ON CONSTRUCT TERAKO. EVENTS RECORDED INDICATE FINAL CALAMITY PASSED. CURRENT OBJECTIVE... NOT FOUND! ERROR! CURRENT DIRECTIVE: RETURN TO ORIGIN, UPDATE ON OBJECTIVE!"

Terrako suddenly leapt off the table, but before running off, it turned to Purah, "SUBJECT, PURAH. CONSTRUCT TERRAKO MAKES THE HUMBLE REQUEST THAT YOU INFORM MASTER ZELDA TO STAY CALM. I AM ERROR. MALFUNCTION DETECTED, RETURNING TO ORIGIN FOR REPAIR."

"What?! Hold on!"

"MOVE FUNCTION OPTIMIZED. RETURNING MOVE FUNCTION TO NORMAL." Terrako started floating, folding what had previously functioned as its legs underneath itself. Strange sparks that seemed like ghostly electricity flew between them, seemingly the cause of this new levitation. Before either Shiekah scientist could comment, Terrako literally flew out the window, shattering the glass.

A few seconds passed in silence.

At first, they both took time to process what they just saw, then...

"What was THAT?! No Guardian has done anything like before!" Purah exclaimed. Her expression was not one of shock, but excitement. Her curiosity as a researcher was on overdrive.

"What, ya mean the Super-Stasis?! The ghost lightning?! The TALKING?! Yeah! My blood's boiling!" Robbie was no longer sulking. A new fire had been lit.

"Those were not the functions of Shiekah technology! This could turn everything we know about Terrako on its head! Amazi-wait..." Purah paused mid-gush, as if something she was forgetting had occurred to her. "Ah! Right! I need to report this to the Princess! Right now!"

Like that, she dashed out of the lab, making a beeline for Hyrule Castle.

As this was going on, Zelda and Link were speaking with Mipha in a private room.

Urbosa had departed, having been granted the deed to a vacant home in a high-end district of castle town. She was currently heading to hand the deed to Vistro and tell him the news, as well as spend time with him.

Mipha breathed in deeply, finally expressing her deep concern. One that had planted its seeds well before her brother's water issues, way back during the Calamity.

"I suspect, the Sidon I saw during the war... may not be the same as what Sidon will grow into."

Zelda looked perplexed "No? But before you said he was definitely the same?"

Mipha hesitated. It was a dark thought, something she had long been reluctant to entertain. But the behavior of their allies that came from the future at that time, and especially certain behaviors of Sidon, seemed to indicate a disturbing truth.

"When he first appeared, during the battle with Waterblight Ganon... I remember the first thing he said. I didn't at first, so much was happening that I didn't have time to deeply recall." Among those who remained, only Mipha had heard it. It was only her against that blight when Sidon appeared, summoned by Terrako. Same as the other champions and "descendants".

"Even after, there were signs. When I spoke to him, told him I was proud of him, or any compliment... he seemed happy at first, but would suddenly look away. Like he was in pain. When it was time for them to return, I told him we'd meet again, because... after all, he would grow up here, right? But... he hesitated, and responded with 'Our hearts will always be connected', a vague answer..."

Zelda went slightly pale. Link's eyes widened, and he couldn't help squeezing the princess' hand. They had a feeling where this was pointing to.

Did Mipha die at some point? When? Was there a way to prevent it? But... why hadn't Sidon told it, then? He clearly cherished his sister, even as an adult. Why wouldn't he try to save her?

This ran through ttheir minds, but another nagging possibility was there, too. One with implications not just for Sidon, but their other comrades from the future as well.

And Mipha confirmed it with the next reveal.

"After he returned... I thought back. To the first thing he said when he appeared. He was full of rage, and shouted at the Blight. He shouted 'I won't let you take her again!'"

Zelda gasped. She knew what that meant. Mipha had been "taken" before, specifically by the Waterblight. Which no longer existed. It was gone with Calamity Ganon.

She had often wondered about Terrako. It had returned from a hopeless future where Calamity Ganon had just returned, and had seized control of the Divine Beasts.

She assumed that Terrako's actions had averted that future. In turn, she thought that the descendants she met were in a future that awaited them. But it wasn't the case.

The future Terrako came from remained after it traveled. Hyrule had been destroyed. Everyone had perished.

It didn't add up, though. If that had happened, there should have been no future to call them from. If Mipha had perished along with the rest, how had Sidon survived? How had any descendants come from a future where Calamity Ganon had prevailed? Where it would fulfill its purpose to destroy everything? From experience, she knew it was merciless, tireless and thorough.

She aired all this to Mipha in a tone that almost pleaded for it to be enough to dismiss it.

"I cannot say for certain how. If somehow there were survivors, maybe I alone had perished. Or perhaps others found a way to hide from it. There are many possibilities, but..." Mipha refocused, "Tragic as it is to consider, it would be a future we have already avoided. But that also means... Sidon might not grow up that way now."

It was a cruel thought. If true, the future Sidon she saw had been forged through the kind of hardship she could never bring herself to wish upon the sweet innocent boy he currently was.

She wanted to assuage the ministers. Even if she took back her claim to the throne, which she didn't want for herself regardless, it would leave a stain on her brothers reputation and confidence. He would grow up labeled a failure.

Things had turned dark, but hypothetical were pointless now. Though it did raise questions about what happened to their friends that vanished in that blue light. Was there still a future they returned to? Or did they disappear, their very existence erased?

As Zelda got lost in thought, the door burst open. Purah, breathing ruggedly, had burst through. Impa was behind her, having noticed her sister's mad dash.

"We have a situation!" Purah gasped.

After the explanation, it was decided that Link and Impa would go in pursuit. Purah had, luckily, placed a tracking tag in Terrako, and had deduced its destination.

Strangely, it was an old site that had long been excavated. The Forgotten Temple. It was abandoned after they had cleared the Guardian remains out, but it was also marked for investigation as a possible hideout of Raiga.

In the Forgotten Temple, there was indeed Raiga. The so-called rogue Yiga.

He didn't consider himself rogue at all, though. His loyalty to Master Kohga was as strong as ever.

They lost many brethren during the Calamity, especially after the double-cross of their supposed ally, Astor.

It had even been believed that Sooga had lost his life. That he had been found was a miracle that showed that fate favored their comeback.

But they needed to rebuild their forces. Master Kohga had made the ultimate sacrifice of his pride to preserve them by allying with their sworn enemies, but it was a necessity at the time.

Raiga had taken the news harshly, but obediently. He was passionate about anything he could do to speed things up. He went searching for resources. It was during one trip in disguise half a year ago that he stumbled upon a breakthrough.

He had set up camp in the Forgotten Temple, and he noticed a an ominous smell. It was faint. So much so that only he, the best tracker in the Yiga Clan when it came to scent, barely picked it up. It leaked out of a small crevice in the Temple. Over a few days, he widened the gap, and collected the strange substance coming through.

He was astonished by what it could do. Not only did it degrade weapons, but a sufficient amount could power up a nearby monster, and it would obey his commands as long as he held more of this stuff with him.

Monsters were always a danger in Hyrule. In times of peace, they were easily manageable. Only during the various calamities did they become as big a threat as they were, due to a population boom, and the phenomenon of the blood moon.

He had made several raids on armories to degrade weapons, and gotten Moblins to attack outposts.

He wanted to show results, and prove to Master Kohga the effectiveness of this amazing shortcut to power he found.

Indeed, Kohga in all his wisdom was skeptical. Who could blame him? He hadn't seen what this stuff could do, and simply showing it degrade weapons at the base wouldn't impress him.

(It never occurred to Raiga that Kohga didn't want to bother going out to test it himself. Or that not even a lack of personal was enough to get Kohga to put forth more effort than he already did. Or that he figured he'd earned at least a decade vacation after all the effort he was forced into when fighting the Calamity.)

The drawback was the time it took to collect enough black mist to do a job. He was always trying to widen the crevice to speed things up.

Currently, Raiga was nursing wounds inflicted by the accursed hero. Raiga had gotten a bit greedy, attempting to assassinate the princess when he heard of her excursion by chance. He had hoped his mist would render even the accursed Master Sword useless. He miscalculated.

As he applied salve to a wound on his arm, cursing his failure... he heard a noise.

Drat! Have I been found out at the worst possible time?! He turned his neck, but he did not see soldiers.

That stupid Guardian thing that usually clung to the princess like glue was barreling toward him! In midair!

He panicked. He was in no condition to fight, even if this would normally be an opportunity to seize that thing.

But the Guardian seemed to ignore him, and stopped in one spot.

"CONDITIONS FOR POWER MET. DRAWING ENERGY FROM LIGHTROOT BELOW. NEUTRALIZING NEARBY GLOOM. NOW UNDERGOING RECONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE!"

A light extended from Terrako to the ground, and the previous mist in containers nearby began flying to Terrako, as if being sucked in! Even the leakage from the crevice was flowing into it!

"H-Hey!" Raiga shouted, " That's my Trump card, ya theiving bucket!"

He unleashed a one-armed swing with his blade. Terrako didn't budge. He continued regardless, but it didn't take long until more company joined him.

"It's YOU!" Came the rage-filled voice of a foe Raiga both loathed and feared.

Link was running toward him, Impa in tow.

Crap! No! Why?!

Raiga's mind was racing. But it wasn't over yet.

"PREPARATION COMPLETE. RECONSTRUCTION PROTOCAL ENGAGED!"

Terrako glowed once more. It was a sight that even made the new arrivals pause.

Terrako.

Long before it received that name, it was made by a rather eccentric ancient Sheikah. The Shiekah were making rapid advances, bit this one had an aim. They wished to incorporate a far greater technology into their own Guardian. One of the last remaining wreckages of the fabled "Imprisoning War" lay in their lab. A mechanical being, long decommissioned and devoid of power or original function. They researched it constantly. It was small. Not standard model for what it truly was.

And so, that Ancient Shiekah used it as the center for his new Guardian. But there was an issue. It didn't turn on. They could not test their creation, or find out why the power source didn't work, or why it interfered with a standard power source when they attempted to install it.

Such potential, they couldn't bear to take it apart. They kept it. It eventually survived the ruin of those Shiekah, to be discovered centuries later by a young girl. Princess Zelda.

The young Princess had no idea the miracle she accomplished the day she turned it on. She merely believed she had found an interesting Guardian to study.

But her very presence enabled the long unresponsive core to activate. The top efficiency Zonai charge that powered high-level Constructs. The core picked up on the Zonai presence within the Royal bloodline. Even as the modified construct itself developed its personality, the core picked up trace power from its new master, making a small bit of that magic its own, to better assist its master in the future.

This magic was rare, unnoticed by the Royal family. The Time magic inherent to descendants of Queen Sonia. The magic Terrako would later use to travel back, and to bring reinforcements from the future.

That magic had been used up, but there was a side effect of the travel. The artificial nature had established a link between the two futures. The consequences of which would be made clear...

"RECONSTRUCTION COMPLETE!"

The light faded. Terrako emerged, totally transformed.

It's former casing lay around it. It's few remaining sheikah parts repurposed. It was no longer light gray, but a light orange with brown parts.

Terrako had been reborn as what it always had been at its core: a Zonai Construct.

It had a calling, it fulfilled it when it detected a sufficient amount of Gloom. The faint essence that Purah had compressed activated the sensor meant to detect the Demon King's return.

Although truthfully, the Gloom itself was faint and inconsequential. Rauru's Seal was still a little over 100 years away from fading.

But the Construct had been rebuilt. It amounted to an upgrade from what Terrako was before. It was the same Terrako, but with new functions, new features... and more processing power.

It had fulfilled its call, but it was also now aware.

In its memory records, it saw everything. It realized something it hadn't before. The future it abandoned was still there, not truly changed.

More importantly, searching the era that resulted, it detected an "anchor point", a kind of signal to establish a new link. It saw. It's Master was still alive there. But it could not return. It lacked the function. Plus, it was equally loyal to the Master here.

It was in turmoil. After a long processing, it came to a conclusion.

Bring her here.

It was an inelegant solution. It couldn't pinpoint her. It would likely take many attempts at random. Many other things might be brought.

Solution: Create a sustained gate. A bridge between the points. All others could be sent back through it. But Master. It needed to see its Master.

This thought process took less than a second to occur, and it began right away.

The power was immense. It blew the other occupants out of the Temple. Link barely held on to consciousness as he and Impa slammed against a rock outside the entrance. Raiga fled immediately.

Link told Impa to go to Zelda. He downed a health potion. Determined to see what would happen here.

Impa departed, Link approached the cave with caution, even as a blinding green light continued to emanate.

That day, green portals appeared throughout the kingdom. They lasted mere moments but left many things behind.

Terrako had barely narrowed its targets. Only living things, and only of certain power. Before it got the intended target, it got:

500 Bokoblins

50 Boss Bokoblins

200 Moblins

120 Hinox

80 Octoroks

50 Lynels

700 Aerocuda

80 Like Likes

40 Gleeoks

50 Evermeans

10 Frox

60 Wizrobes

1 Rito Warrior

1 Young Zora Child

2 Shiekah (One Chief, one Apprentice Researcher)

finally, 1 Princess of Hyrule.

The land had a huge influx of monsters, and among them were dangerous varieties they had never encountered before.

King Rhoam declared a crisis, and Knights were dispatched. To get the monsters under control.

There were powerful ones near settlements, so even the Champions were dispatched to assist.

The light had settled. It was now a week later.

Across the land, panic had spread. The situation was now mostly under control, but the Champions had worked around the clock to achieve it this fast. Every race had dispatched their army to help. Lynels were nothing to scoff at, and many had appeared. But that wasn't the worst part.

Gleeoks. These new creatures put even Lynels to shame. So far, 10 had been eliminated, and it was an all-out battle each time that exhausted resources. The only exception was twice, when Champions Revali and Urbosa had assisted.

There was still the unknown element of Frox, which had all fled to the caves that could accommodate their massive bodies. Other new monsters had challenges themselves.

Through all this, the strongest warrior in Hyrule, Link, had only joined the fray relatively recently. The reason was classified.

Link returned to the castle, fresh from securing the Hylia Bridge from a Hinox. He rushed. In case what he found in the Temple woke up. He wanted answers.

He went straight to Zelda's chambers. She greeted him in the hallway.

"Anything?" He asked.

"Mipha has come in. Maybe her healing can help."

"There wasn't a wound on her though..."

"It seemed to be fatigue, like just being brought here was a great exertion." Zelda was trepidatious. It was natural, considering who the guest was. Or at least appeared to be.

"Has Terrako come to, yet?"

Terrako, after causing this mess for whatever reason, seemed go go into a kind of sleep mode. Purah inspected and concluded that whatever it did consumed a lot of power, and it was now recharging.

Zelda had been shocked by many things. One of which was Terrako's new appearance. Purah assured her it was still Terrako. It seemed to have gained vast amounts of new abilities as an "Upgrade", but analysis of its memory bank assured her it kept its sense of identity.

But why? Why would Terrako do this? She figured the answer lay in the other shock factor, the "guest" Mipha was now healing. The guest that looked like an older version of herself.

She looked exactly like the Princess, but a few years older. Her hair was cut short. Her outfit was almost identical to Zelda's own blue traveling clothes, with a small additional cloak. She had earrings with a bizarre design, and a necklace with the strangest thing of all, an odd jewel that seemed to give off a mysterious power.

Mipha then appeared at the door.

"Quick! She's coming to!"

The two rushed in, eager for answers.

When they went in, the Zelda-looking woman was already up. Out of the bed she was in. She was darting around the room, looking and touching things with a look of disbelief.

"What is going on!? This...my old room... how... I didn't activate the stone... even if I did, it couldn't..." She was mumbling frantically.

Zelda cleared her throat, and her older doppelganger turned, eyes widening further.

"I see you are confused...allow me to introduce myself..." Zelda began but was interrupted.

"Princess Zelda of Hyrule, Daughter of King Rhoam Bosphamorous Hyrule?" The stranger interrupted, but her gaze then shifted to the Zora next to her, "And... Mipha... is it truly you?!"

Before Zelda could answer, or ask any more questions, the stranger asked.

"Tell me... how long do you have before the day if the Calamity...?" Aside from the question itself, the way she asked was unusual.

"Erm... the Calamity? We overcame it two years ago, it is currently..." As she told her the date, the woman collapsed to her knees in shock.

"What...? Impossible... I remember... how... what this..."

It was then a certain Construct that had been recharging in a corner reactivated. It then joyfully approached, circling first the woman on her knees, who seemed shocked further as she eyed Terrako, and then Zelda.

"OPERATION CONFIRMED SUCCESS! MASTER OF BOTH CURRENT AND ABANDONED FUTURE CONFIRMED SAFE! REUNITED, JOY OVERFLOWS!"

It then hit Zelda what had occurred.

"Terrako... what have you done...?"

The other woman, the other Zelda, was also at a loss. Looking down, she tried to clear her head, and remember what led up to this moment.

The tracking of a strange guerrilla tactics fugitive, friends that had gone missing, a green light...

To be continued...