Impa lead the way through Marrita Exchange. It was a market town next to Tanagar Canyon, close to the Forgotten Temple. When the portals first started appearing, the Forgotten Temple became a place of interest, so a gurney had been constructed near Marrita Exchange to make travel there easier.

Behind her was a select group of guards and their new "guests".

Said guests were mostly quiet. Link seemed impatient to get to the castle, but also curious about the surrounding town. In the Post-Upheaval future, this was a ruin. Restoration had been planned, but it was still one among a list of many.

He had already tried to see if the Purah Pad could let him warp directly there, but it was as to be expected that in a Hyrule with no active Zonai Shrines, the function was disabled. The map could not even be relied upon.

Incidentally, Link was not the only one with a Purah Pad. Production may have been slow, but a few others had been made and distributed to important figures. Namely Sidon, Teba, Riju, Yunobo, Payah, Hudson and Reede. Basically, the heads of each settlement from the start of reconstruction. Warp wasn't often used, since it only warped one individual, and these leaders often needed to travel with a group.

There was also a prototype "lite" model given to key individuals like Tulin, Josha, Hoz, Gralens, Toren, Flaxel, and Bazz. These were individuals leading teams charged with monster extermination who could make full use of the item storage and quick change function. Josha was an exception. She was in charge of field testing the Purah Pad Lite. It was smaller and easier to produce, but had been shaved down to Map, Warp, Storage, Equip and Camera function. Camera also had far less storage.

Impa was silent, though she had many questions for her old friends behind her. Though it wasn't like a strange conversation wasn't already happening.

"So you're Ertis, right? Sorry for my mistake earlier! I don't want to get on your bad side! I'm actually lucky getting to meet you like this!"

The strange man named Tauro, who had been first to emerge from the gate, was eagerly engaging with her fiance behind her.

"I guess I overreacted. I understand you are from the future, so you couldn't really know Impa." Ertis replied seemingly embarrassed.

"Funny thing is, I actually do. Just when she's really aged and a lot smaller."

This tidbit interested Impa, but she held her tongue. She was still on duty, and her priority was to guide the group to the castle.

"I'm more interested in learning about you, though. I hope we can catch up, later. Oh! I bet when we find Payah, she'd love to meet you too! Lady Impa's one thing, but she barely knows anything about her late grandpa!"

"Hold on WHAT?!" Ertis stopped in his tracks. He wasn't exactly hysterical, being a trained Sheikah himself, but it threw him off well enough.

"We will put discussion off until we reach the castle." Impa stopped to affirm to everyone, "Sir Tauro, please refrain from further conversation. I've said the same to Link, Sidon and Teba."

She had already been approached by those three. Link about Zelda, and the other two apparently seeking missing residents of their own races. They hadn't been able to specify before it was decided to move to the castle.

Tabantha Frontier, 5 days ago

Tulin, Sage of Wind, emerged from Kopeeki Drifts Cave, fully rested.

Yesterday he had found himself dislocated from his patrol of Hebra Peak. He remembered a strange green flash and brief loss of consciousness. When he woke up, he was near the entrance to the cave he had taken refuge in. He was strangely exhausted, so he decided to replenish his stamina for the next half a day.

It was when he emerged that he was able to get his bearings, and know exactly which cave he had been in. To double check, he took out his Purah Pad Lite, and checked the map.

He had no way of knowing at that time the differences he would find between this map and the land around him, but he could tell something was up when the warp function failed. He was hoping to go straight back to Rito Village that way, to assure his team and his parents he was fine, and possibly discuss that green light.

"Looks like I'm taking the long way." He decided, taking to the air.

He intended to fly straight to the village as fast as the gusts could take him, but something else immediately caught his eye.

A Lynel, over in Tabantha Hills and dangerously close to Tabantha Village. He knew that Village had only recently been rebuilt and was busy getting on its feet.

There also seemed to be warriors already engaged with the beast. As he flew closer, he saw a unit of Rito Warriors he didn't recognize. Stranger still, though, were the armored Hylians with them.

The Hylian soldiers Tulin was familiar with, while having gone beyond the shabby equipment of the Upheaval, didn't have such fancy, advanced armor. These armored soldiers were also using basic weapons. Not fused with anything.

Putting his curiosity aside, Tulin knew what he had to do. With his cherished Great Eagle Bow in his talons, he rapidly descended to the battle.

"Brace yourselves! Here comes the flames!" Shouted Dranor, the Rito Captain.

His soldiers engaged in evasive action, keeping the aim away from the Hylian Soldiers.

Lynels were a deadly enemy for any unit of their size to face. It was unreasonable to try to take it down before reinforcements arrived.

It would be different if Master Revali was with them. He could take on this Lynel himself if needed. But the timing couldn't have been worse. Revali had already been dispatched to eliminate an Ice Gleeok in the snowfield when it was reported that this Lynel was headed for Tabantha Village.

The current objective was to stall. Reinforcements would arrive soon. If they were lucky, Revali himself would be finished with the Gleeok and join up with them.

The Lynel finished its breath attack and prepared to charge, when it was stunned by an explosive arrow to the head from behind. Three of them.

"The Great Eagle Bow! He's here! Men! He's... here?" A Rito Warrior had indeed landed in front of him facing the Lynel, wielding the Great Eagle Bow, but it wasn't Revali.

"I need a status report! What's going on here?" The young Warrior asked, not even turning around as he rapidly shot at the stunned Lynel.

Dranor hesitated slightly, not sure what to make of this stranger, but now was not the time for confusion. If this warrior could help now, questions could wait.

"This Lynel appeared from those green portals that have been reported. Our objective is to stall for reinforcements, and keep it away from Tabantha Village!" He reported, "We currently have 15 injured, 7 Rito and 8 Hylian, but no casualties!"

So these are Hylians? Fine, whatever. But who is this? I don't recognize this Captain. If he's a new recruit, why is he in charge of subjugation a Lynel? Honestly, what is the Gale Brigade doing?! They should at least dispatch a few from the strike unit if it's this close to the Village!

Tulin sighed, putting his questions aside, "Tend to the injured. I'll handle this."

"Wait, by yourself?!"

"It's just one Lynel. I wouldn't be much of a Sage if I couldn't handle that much." It wouldn't be easy, but it was doable. With an upward gust (which shocked everyone present) Tulin took to the air.

By the time the battle had ended and the Lynel was slain, the soldiers saw more strange things. Many types of arrows they had never seen before. Strangest of all was this warriors mastery over the wind. It not only boosted his flight beyond just ascension, he even used it to distract the Lynel and misdirect its arrows.

"Not sure how I'm supposed to report this..." Dranor muttered.

"You may want to figure that out fast, sir." One if his subordinates pointed to a flock approaching them. It was their reinforcements led by Master Revali.

Revali had been all over the place, recently. He felt he needed to be. The battlefield was where he shined. Where he belonged.

After the Calamity was resolved, he had returned to focus on his training. Peaceful the times may be, he was still a warrior at his core. When he wasn't fighting the remaining monsters, we was improving his craft.

He had been encouraged to spend time among his people, and he certainly obliged. Who he spent the most time with, though, was a fellow warrior named Craj. This was because he was technically family, having recently married his cousin (and closest living relative), Boria. Craj was with him during the fight with the Gleeok, though Revali had protested for certain reasons. Like the others who had joined him, they immediately went to Tabantha after slaying the Gleeok once the Lynel was reported.

Tulin was collecting parts from the Lynel when they arrived. Revali hadn't noticed him at first. His stamina was less than usual and his adrenaline ceased when he saw the Lynel was dead, so he wasn't scanning for every little detail.

He landed in front of Dranor, who was overseeing the treatment of the wounded.

"I must say, this is a surprise. I heard this unit was dispatched in haste and only meant to stall."

"I wish I could accept credit, Master Revali. But we only did just that, stall. The slaying was done single-handedly by... that one. I'm afraid I didn't get his name." He pointed in the direction of the approaching Tulin.

When Revali turned toward him, Tulin froze. Images of the legendary figure walking toward him were scarce, but he had his own vivid memory. A memory of a dream he had as a child.

This was a shock in itself, but it also made the pieces fall together in his mind. The green flash, the armor on the Hylians, the Rito Captain he didn't recognize... the conclusion was unbelievable. But perhaps his father had truly never lied to him, even on this one perceived "exception".

"You there." Revali's call snapped him out of his stupor, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but identify yourself."

Tulin's mind raced, before deciding on an action. He dropped down to one knee.

"Master Revali. It is an honor, truly, to meet you! I suspect we may have met before, when I was far younger..." He tried his best to sound dignified, though his thoughts hadn't slowed down at all.

"Have we? I don't recall..." The feather coloration was certainly similar to an old comrade he distinctly remembered, but this was clearly a different person. When Tulin took the knee, however, Revali noticed the bow strapped to his back, "That's... the Great Eagle Bow?"

"I...did say I would master it someday, didn't I?" Tulin ventured. He still wasn't sure if his dream had been real, but decided to test it.

Revali pondered for a few seconds. If this was who it seemed, he had grown far more than a mere two years would allow. However, the green portals might be explained better with this. He knew Terrako had likely been the source, after all.

Revali's frown suddenly curled into a knowing grin, he shook his head and chuckled, "I see... so you actually did it, didn't you, kid? Though I don't suppose that's something I can call you now, can I, Tulin?"

Tulin looked up, face brightened. Things were unclear right now, but at the very least he had an ally. The greatest ally he could ask for. Upon his request, he was escorted back to Rito Village.

This news hadn't reached Hyrule Castle yet. Not much had, since monster elimination and hunts for the elusive Raiga had taken priority, all other news would take 1 week to reach the king. This event had occurred 5 days ago, one day before another event in Zora's Domain.

Lanayru, Bank of Wishes, 4 days ago

A training session for Young Zora was taking place near Tabahl Woods. It was a normal field expedition for aspiring soldiers, but this one was treated with extra caution due to a participant of the Royal variety.

Prince Sidon was among the group of the youngest. Those in his group were ecstatic.

Though elders close to the Royal family had brought up concerns about his lack of water ability, he was popular among those in his age range. Among them, he was the best fighter, and even more adolescent Zora struggled when matched with him.

This exercise had them seeking out Chuchus, the small variety that even new soldiers could dispatch with ease. Even Sidon, who normally tripped up against a Bokoblin, could handle that with no concern. Even if a larger Chuchu were to show up, Captain Seggin's son Bazz was guiding them as insurance, to take on such unexpected threats. Even if more fearsome monsters showed, there were soldiers on standby a way behind them.

The small Zora Prince flashed a grin at his group for a morale boost, even as his own mind was elsewhere.

It wouldn't reflect well if he skipped this training, but he knew it was time he could otherwise spend trying to master water control, the thing that had elders badgering his father and sister.

He never understood why Mipha had renounced her succession claim. He had heard it had something to do with the Zora warrior who appeared during the Calamity.

Feeling it would put undue pressure on young Sidon, it was never told to him that the warrior he saw was himself as an adult. It was only something discussed among the military and ministers. As far as he knew, that Zora had been a relative of the Royal family, possibly related to his mother, having the same red coloration that he and his sister inherited from the late Zora Queen.

Sidon was spending the march on lookout for target monsters, when he heard something. In the river. A wailing noise. A...a child!

"Bazz, sir! Do you hear that?!" He shouted

Bazz stopped. He hadn't heard anything, but began to listen closely. He heard it, too, when he focused.

"A child in the river?! All of you! Go back to the soldiers! I need to..." Bazz began, but Sidon jumped in.

He had no idea why. He should have left this to Bazz, who could swim faster. Something just told him he had to. That this was his responsibility. He decided to trust his instincts.

Luckily, the sound was still upstream. He could intercept rather than chase.

When he saw the source of the sound, he dove, but something about what he saw made him hesitate, and he missed.

No! He missed the rescue, and the child was already downstream. He couldn't catch up. Not before the waterfall into Zora River. But he had to try.

He swam. Blocking out everything else. His earlier hesitation. His strange motivation. His doubts of ability. Nothing mattered except reaching the target in time.

He burst forth, speeding up more than he thought he could. He knew what happened to cause it. That didn't matter right now.

He grabbed his target and began swimming toward the bank. He made it.

He went onto the shore and put the kid down.

"Your Highness!" Bazz, who had dove in after, approached from the river, relieved to have found them, " That was reckless of you! I thought you were past this... hm?"

He then noticed the child Sidon had rescued. It wasn't just a child. It was a baby. A baby Zora. But it was unusual.

It had unusual coloration. Close to the Royal family's red, but... closer to Orange-Red. It was small, probably no older than 2 or 3. To Zora, it was unthinkable that a baby that young would be in the river at all, let alone without its parents or guardian.

"Good work, regardless, your highness. I fear what might have happened to this little one otherwise. I'll take him to the soldiers, we must find his parents."

He took the baby in his arms...and it began crying. Loudly. It was clearly frightened.

Unknown to anyone there, this strange child was the heir to Sidon in the Post-Upheaval timeline, Tidon. As far as this infant was aware, it was safe in its pool, under the watchful eye of familiar Zora, when he was suddenly in rushing water, tossed about and suddenly saved.

He was then snatched away from his savior, a boy with a smile that seemed familiar to him. Reassuring. The only familiar and reassuring thing in this strange and scary place.

It was decided after some trouble that Sidon would accompany the boy to the domain with the detached soldiers. His group would feel disappointed, but he told them to hold strong.

As he was about to depart, the baby cooing in his arms, he said to Bazz, "Also... I think I should tell you. I... think I managed to use water control. In the river. It shot for my feet, letting me go faster."

It was worth reporting. He wasn't sure he was ready to replicate it, but it was progress that might ease the burden on his family. It certainly made Bazz light up. He departed.

This single baby discovered in the river caused a bigger stir than expected.

For one thing, there was no record of any child of that coloration being born in the Domain, or any clue who his parents might be.

A missive had been sent out to domains outside of Hyrule, quickest to one's they regularly had contact with. They waited to hear replies.

It wasn't just the existence of this unknown baby, however. There was his behavior.

Once Sidon brought him back, the boy became very attached to King Dorephan, seeming to refer to him as "Expa!"

Dorephan himself had no idea what this meant, but decided to let the boy dwell in the throne room. It seemed he would cry if separated from him, moreso than Sidon. They needed to figure out who this was, as there was a chance he was an important child from another domain, so he needed to be treated well.

The reason Tidon was attached to him, of course, was because he was even more familiar than the boy with the smile. He knew this Zora as his grandfather, who would stop by, play with him, hug him, and give him presents. Tidon also was friendly with Muzu, who accompanied that loving grandfather on every visit. Most Zora, especially children, saw Muzu as strict and somewhat unapproachable, so this was especially bizarre.

He called Dorephan "Expa", as he had taken to in his own time. A child's amalgamation of "Exalted" and "Grandpa". He called Muzu "Unzu", his way of saying "Uncle Muzu".

He didn't have a name for Sidon. His attachment there was more vague instinct. This boy had the same smile as his father.

It was 2 days later when another person gained a strange name from the boy.

Mipha had just returned from Goponga Village. She had been gone for 5 days, putting down a pair of Boss Bokoblins and their mobs, then healing the injured after.

She had heard the news upon her return that a Zora child of unknown origin had taken up occupancy in the throne room, being looked after by Sidon and her father. She also received the far more uplifting news of Sidon's water control. Since the incident he had certainly improved but was still failing to reproduce the exact results from that day.

When she entered the throne room for her report, a small voice rang out "Statoo!"

The boy had emerged from the pool, doing an unsteady crawl toward her. He was also calling for King Dorephan to follow "Expa! Statoo!"

In the Post-Upheaval time, Tidon was quite familiar with Mipha. Or, at least, her appearance. His parents took him to Mipha Park often. Sometimes for simple strolls, or even private picnics. There were sometimes others joining them. Friends of his father's, especially two Hylians.

His father always took him to look at the statue, telling him about the person depicted. He didn't understand much of it yet.

What he did know was his parents were always there when he was at that pretty statue. His young mind instinctively felt that getting near that person would make his parents appear.

He reached Mipha's feet and sat down, gazing up expectantly.

"Little One! Please!" Sidon rushed up to him, apologizing to Mipha, "I'm sorry, Sister! I don't know..."

"It's quite alright, Sidon." Mipha assured him, gazing down. Like Sidon, and even King Dorephan had, she felt a connection she couldn't place to the boy before her. She couldn't quite understand why, but she felt a need to protect him, and a strange affection beyond a normal child of her kin.

She picked him up, "You must be confused. I wish we could help you find your parents, little one." She smiled gently.

Tidon, who was anxious throughout the ordeal, finally felt safe enough to take a nap. Without a fight, he laid his head on this statue lady's chest, sleeping with a contented smile. He might have done this sooner if King Dorephan had held him similarly, or if the strange boy had been big enough.

Things settled down, and Mipha decided to hold him like that as she discussed things with her father.

"Princess Zelda has actually reached out to us for your help. She wants to keep the details secret, but she says it's about the 'Unusual Guest' at the castle..."

"...I see." Mipha was aware of said guest. All of the Champions were. As well as what happened with Terrako. They were carrying out their duties protecting the land while awaiting further news.

It seemed Princess Zelda wanted to see if Mipha could help this look-a-like recover with Mipha's Grace. This meant she needed to depart ASAP.

"Father... I think I will bring this little one with me."

"May I ask why? We have a delegation from the Domain to the East coming soon to inquire."

"I should return by that time. I feel like what's going on at the castle and this boy might be connected."

Dorephan sunk into thought. He couldn't help but be concerned for the boy, even if he didn't know the reason. But he trusted Mipha.

"Very well. We have attendants as well as soldiers to accompany you. It should be fine."

"Father! If that's the case, then may I...?" Sidon began, only to be interrupted by Mipha.

"Sidon, I appreciate your concern, but you need to return to your training. You've already accomplished what many were concerned you couldn't. I know you can keep up that momentum, so keep focusing on that." Mipha said in both dismissal and encouragement.

Sidon acquiesced. Mipha soon departed.

Hyrule Castle, Present Day

The door to Zelda's chambers had been shut. Their "guest" had asked to be left alone to gather her thoughts.

"I understand you probably have questions for me...I have many for you as well... but please, this is a lot to take in."

She had asked about the Calamity, and so they had recounted the events. She seemed to recognize the names of the future warriors who fought alongside them, but said nothing as she listened. Though her face was a complicated mix of many emotions. When they finished, they tried to ask her who she was and her circumstances, but she replied "I suppose you could say I am you, but you've probably guessed that..."

When they tried to inquire further, they received the aforementioned request to be alone.

Zelda was the first to agree. She had a feeling of sympathy for her, which was understandable since they were at least somewhat one and the same. She had the room cleared out. Now she was walking with Link, Mipha and Terrako through the hall.

"Terrako... what did you do?" She asked again the question she had said before.

"I HAVE CARRIED OUT MY DUTY AS AN ASSIST CONSTRUCT. MASTER IS SAFE, AND MASTER IS BESIDE ME. BOTH CURRENT AND PREVIOUSLY LEFT MASTER ARE PRESENT."

Zelda had heard Terrako was now capable of speech, but she still couldn't get over it yet. Furthermore, it didn't seem to fathom the trouble it had caused. The voice seemed pleased with itself, almost expecting praise from her.

"Previosly left..." Link muttered, "Is this about the Calamity it left behind?"

It seemed more and more likely that the future Terrako had left had survivors. Zelda herself seemed to live to age a few years herself.

It wasn't easy for her to accept that conclusion, though. She may have struggled to awaken her power, but she would never abandon her duty like that.

"Maybe... Terrako had left prematurely?" Mipha suggested, "Perhaps after it left, you still managed to seal it somehow?"

It was certainly plausible, and the best scenario they currently had.

"I suppose... What about that child you brought here? Do you still think he is connected somehow?" Zelda decided to change the subject.

Mipha had brought a baby Zora of unknown origin with her to the castle, and voiced her thoughts on it as they ascended the stairs before. The boy was currently being watched by her attendants in a fountain outside.

Before Mipha could answer, they were approached by another familiar face, Daruk.

"There you guys are!" Daruk exclaimed, running up to them, "I was hoping to see you! We got more company, apparently! Two ladies showed up near the foot of Death Mountain yesterday! One looks just like Impa, and the other... well, I can't really explain it other than she... was piloting some weird Guardian? Except she didn't call it that..."

Daruk was trying to get as much information out as possible, even as they wanted to fill him in on the other Zelda's awakening.

"So much is happening. I think we may have to call on Urbosa and Revali. Impa as well."

She didn't know Impa was already on her way there, with a surprise of her own...

To Be Continued...