Note: I wasn't going to define this, but it was asked and I think I've taken enough creative liberties for this bit to not matter:
In this fic, the Upheaval took place 4 years after the end of BotW.
LinkU and ZeldaU are around 26, while LinkC and ZeldaC are around 20.
POST-UPHEAVAL FUTURE
Forgotten Temple
It had been effectively 18 hours since LinkU, Tauro and the Sages passed through the Gate.
They still had 6 hours left to report, but PurahU was anxious. None of the others had left the spot since the initial departure...though another had joined.
"What the darn is taking those slouches so long?!" Came a crochety old voice.
RobbieU had shown up uninvited around 4 hours ago. In all the recent confusion, PurahU had neglected to inform him of what had happened at the summit the previous day.
RobbieU had been busy refining the Purah Pad Lite prototypes, buried in his work for days. It was only when he emerged to get the field data from his tester, Josha, that he had been made aware of the portal crisis.
The Gate's existence had been classified, but RobbieU had an unexpected (and unwilling) insider, currently looking at PurahU apologetically.
"Sorry, Ms. PurahU, the old man really twisted my arm..." Grante, going by Granteson when he was on the job, was one of the engineers in charge of Security Drones near the Gate.
Because he often tried to distance himself from his eccentric father, people often forgot (or just never guessed) their relation.
PurahU was currently lamenting this staffing oversight. If only she hadn't put Granteson on the relay team to Lookout Landing...
RobbieU was obnoxious at the best of times, and his inability to read the room was doing no one any favors.
If not for some unexpected help, she might have slugged him. Fortunately...
"The old guy is yelling again! That means...!" Came a playful voice that made RobbieU pale.
"GAH! Wait! Sorry! I was just..." He was immediately steamrolled by a rolled-up Goron toddler.
As a way to lighten the mood, discourage RobbieU from not shutting up and keeping the excitable Darvil entertained, PurahU had put the young Goron in charge of keeping RobbieU from getting too loud.
Four times now he had performed his "Darvil Drop" every time RobbieU began complaining. That he wasn't dead by now showed he wasn't quite as frail as he looked... but he was still banged up.
PurahU had no sympathy. She actually congratulated herself inwardly for this three-in-one solution she had thought up.
"Lady PurahU!" Queen Yona's voice snapped PurahU out of her thoughts as she pointed at the Gate.
It was glowing slightly. From when Tauro went through it before, it meant someone was coming.
But it wasn't who they expected...
"Whoah! Amazing! It's clearly the same Temple, but even more weathered and banged up than I thought possible!"
"Woah! So, this is the future we got from the Bad Ending, huh?!"
Two familiar researchers emerged, not even noticing the stunned faces around them...even though one of them was identical to her own.
"We need to measure time flux! Terrako likely made it so time flows equally on both sides, but better to be sure!"
"Hah! I'll just check the light source on-AUGH!" the Young Male among the two researchers was suddenly on the ground, twitching.
Darvil had recognized the tone and volume as the same as the old man he had been told to keep quiet and decided this counted. So he rolled up and rammed into RobbieC, getting PurahC's attention.
"Huh?! Are we under attack here, too?!"
"Honestly, Purah... this proves it. You never change." ImpaU piped up in exasperation. Which Purah she meant was really anyone's guess, since both looked at her.
"Impa?! Wow, you are still alive! And smaller! Just like Josha said!"
"Josha?!" PurahU finally voiced, causing her (technically) younger self to notice her as well.
"Wait...is that...ME?! No, wait... Is that me younger than me?!" PurahU wasn't sure whether to smirk at how her genius youth serums effects surprised even herself.
"Aw man! Two Purahs?! This trip was a mistake!" RobbieC groaned, just getting up.
RobbieU had noticed his younger self, but hadn't spoken up. Partially from vain embarrassment at his own aging, but also because he hadn't ensured he could speak un-tackled.
"Er...we should come back later, son" He muttered to Grante, who was only barely following along.
"No. You made your bed, now lie in it!" Grante muttered back. He wasn't particularly interested in meeting some past version of his father, but he wasn't about to help his old man avoid consequences.
That was when the area began to tremor.
The Gate glowed once more... but it was different this time... it was fluctuating now, between green and yellow... it was also... shrinking? Not in width, but depth.
It didn't appear to be closing... in fact, the once shimmering Gate appeared to be becoming more solid, adjusting until it became a full-fledged Zonai Door, the kind seen near Shrines and Labarynths. But it wasn't over.
With a final shine, it shot out a number of individuals. Most of them unfriendly. Yiga footsoldiers, Gloom-ridden Bokoblins & Lizalfos, a single Seer attendant (Ronj) and a large Yiga Blademaster from long past (Sooga). The monsters acted on instinct, and began to attack as the Yiga and Seer seemed to regain their bearings.
"Incoming!" Slergo yelled in panic.
"Protect the Young Master!" Offrak shouted.
"What the heck is going on?!" PurahU demanded.
This wasn't good. They hadn't expected hostiles to come through. Security was stationed at the Temple entrance, and the only combatants present were Bularia and maybe Exalted Dorephan. Slergo and Offrak could perhaps hold their own, but they were businessmen by nature, not trained fighters like their boss.
As a Bokoblin charged, it was suddenly downed by an arrow to the head.
"Look alive, people! We can get our bearings after we clean up!"
Launching into the air from the settling dust behind the monsters, a familiar face from long past rose in his signature updraft.
It wasn't just him. The Champions were there, wielding their signature weapons. There was also Zelda and Link... but one thing threw off the ensemble. Zelda...it was ZeldaU unsure at first but wielding a light bow. Link...was LinkC, who was already focused on the enemies around him.
They also had a few others with them, more familiar. ImpaC took a fighting stance next to Ertis. Teba rose alongside Revali, and while Mipha held her Lightscale Trident in one hand, the other arm held Prince Tidon close protectively.
"Tidon!" Yona called.
"Mipha?!" Dorephan voiced in shock.
"I haven't seen that face... in so long..." ImpaU was calm, but her voice sounded sorrowfully wistful.
By that time, Ronj and Sooga had grasped the situation.
"That Guardian... what did it do?!" Sooga cursed, not aware of "that Guardian"'s new status as a Construct.
"This might get ugly. Our numbers aren't enough here..." Ronj noted. He had a fair bit of monsters to work with, but the smart thing here was to escape and regroup. Though he hadn't seemed to grasp which side of the Gate he was on, "Whatever just happened, Master Crowl wasn't warped here with us! We need to cut a retreat and regroup!"
"Don't give me orders!" Sooga growled despite his own agreement about retreat, "Have your beasts buy us time!"
It was a wild few minutes. When the dust settled, the monsters were gone, the Yiga soldiers, Blademaster and Seer nowhere to be found. Outside sentry had apparently spotted them leaving the Temple.
The fight was over, but the trouble was just beginning.
What had happened? What triggered this event, and what did it signal? For that, we turn back the clock 7 hours...
POST-CALAMITY FUTURE
7 Hours Prior
As ZeldaU had the private discussion with her friends about the Demon King in the dining room, one of those friends had been excluded due to her proven lack of discretion.
Josha, who's personality had barely matured since the Upheaval (which in most people's view, was because of both her mentors' bad influence), was left to bring her Construct into the Castle, where she was to perform maintenance.
She was supposed to... but that wasn't all she was doing, because her mentors were definitely a bad influence, even here.
"This is the coolest thing ever! We used to put all this research into reconstructing Guardians, but this thing was made practically from scratch?!" RobbieC was crawling all over Josha's Battle Construct like a Sticky Frog, while PurahC was checking put the cockpit.
"Guardians were almost purely autonomous, and their designs focused on density of armor and firepower..." PurahC mumbled aloud, "These Constructs seem to be more lightweight, using less energy on movement and focusing on providing additional functionality. It's less durable than a Guardian, but more versatile. Not like it's exactly fragile either!"
PurahU had actually made those exact same notes, word for word, in her own comparison study after the Demon King was slain.
Josha had a small adjustment panel open on the Construct's back, not looking up from her work but grinning to herself.
Of course, she still had no filter.
"This kind of technology is revolutionizing the way we do things back home! The current theory is ancient Sheikah discovered traces of this stuff after it was initially lost, and tried to replicate it from traces while instituting their own techniques and Sheikah Runes! Kind of like what Hylians started doing when they discovered the Guardians and Divine Beasts!" Josha gushed, "I think the main difference is the Zonai focused on accessibility. Even the common layman can learn to build and control devices with Zonai Parts, but only the truly dedicated excel at it!"
ZeldaC picked up on this. In the room currently with the Shiekah researchers was her, LinkC, ImpaC, Daruk, Revali, Tidon and Terrako.
Tidon was hoisted on LinkC's shoulders. He apparently knew LinkU and ZeldaU quite well, registering them and the other Sages among his "family", as babies do. Yunobo's son was included in that as well.
Mipha and Urbosa had gone elsewhere.
Urbosa went to have Shirana notified ofvher plans to visit before they departed for the Gate. Riju's last departure was sudden, after all. Urbosa felt it would be best to ensure they met soon, lest they be unable to return later.
Mipha was writing a message to her father. She needed to update him on the situation, especially regarding the identity of the previously unknown Zora Child. He had already started an investigation and contacted other Domains, so it would be foolish to keep him in the dark.
That was the situation, and now Josha had brought up a new term.
She had been forbidden by Paya from discussing the Demon King, the Imprisoning War, the Sages, and the Upheaval... but the word "Zonai" hadn't been among the taboo subjects. A small oversight on Paya's part, perhaps.
"Zonai? That technology is of Zonai origin?" ZeldaC asked, pure interest piqued. Both Zeldas were, at their core, scholars with curiosity in spades, "That would go towards the hypothesis of the Zonai as the founders of Hyrule, as said in legend!"
It was a known story that the Zonai were said to have lived long ago, in the time of earliest legend. That they possessed godlike powers and had a prosperous civilization in the sky.
Some scholars argued this as fanciful fairytale lore invented by barbaric tribe the Zonai truly were, and that had once been the dominant theory... until 50 years ago. Many discoveries found while digging up Guardians pointed to Zonai symbolism, lending credence to these legends.
It was nothing concrete so far, but apparently more had been uncovered in the Post-Upheaval time.
"Yeah! They made all these amazing things! My current study is Constructs! They were kind of like Guardians, but not all of them built for warfare! They could perform tasks like hunting, lumber, smelting... all specific to each model! Super long-lasting, too! We have more than a few of them back home, still carrying out their functions! Their programming is insane, too! The AI makes Guardians seem like instinctive beasts by comparison!"
ZeldaC listened enraptured to Josha. It wasn't even out of concern for anything about the current situation anymore. This was purely her passion for knowledge.
"Though we haven't found one anything similar to the one you have there!" Josha finally looked up, "You said it's called 'Terrako', right? What kind of model is that?"
"Actually, let me bring you up to speed on that..." PurahC decided to be helpful... though there was a glint in her eye that hinted ulterior motive.
It was one of those times she would glance at her colleague, RobbieC, and they were totally in sync with the same idea.
Terrako, meanwhile seemed to not be paying attention.
Because it was focusing on something else. Namely, using its sensors to eavesdrop on a specific room, to find out what was troubling the Master within it.
Terrako had noticed the signs of turmoil in ZeldaU, who was less familiar with Terrako and unable to predict it would.
It had heard the conversation end as the meal was just about ready... and it was panicking from what it heard.
Demon King... danger still present... Master... bad happening...
It needed more data. What was this Demon King, its threat, and what had it put its Master through that had her trembling?
It had an idea where to get the data. It just needed to gain access to the "Purah Pad" held by the KnightU next to the MasterU.
It seemed to have many functions. Terrako had been near enough to analyze a base view of them, and one of which was recording various memories of both the Knight and the Master.
Only particularly vivid or meaningful ones could be accessed from the interface, but as a Construct using nearly identical computing tech, Terrako could possibly access the whole storage, everything the holder remembered from the day the holder activated the Purah Pad and had it nearby.
Find out...gain access... Terrako needed to know of any threat to its master.
It was like a newborn in its AI, it's personality slowly evolving, but it was currently little more than it had always been: Devoted to the service, happiness, and well-being of Princess Zelda. By any means necessary. This had not changed even as it reverted to Construct form, but now it was just a bit less rational as new levels of emotion became available.
That Purah Pad was set down at a nearby footstool near LinkUas everyone sat down for a meal, in various mindsets.
SidonU had invited Mipha to, at least briefly, cross the Gate with them.
"I know Father would appreciate it. It... it hit him hard." SidonU told her, "Probably more so than me... I thought I had grasped that before, but now I have a child myself, and just the thought... Anyway! However brief, to see you once more would mean the world to him!"
"I would be honored. Any version of Father deserves that much." Mipha accepted in a kind voice lightly tinged with guilt. She remembered her own promise to come back safely, and it occurred to her how close she had come to breaking it.
"Statoo..." Tidon, seated on SidonU's lap seemed to pick up on the melancholy mood, and reached to pat Mipha on the arm.
Currently, they were discussing the group that would head to the Forgotten Temple. Apparently, some of the Post-Upheaval party wished to stay behind for now, intending to cooperate with resolving the portal issue.
That waste reason given, but truthfully, they knew ZeldaU really wanted to help exterminate the threat below the castle, so there was no point arbitrarily sticking together right now.
The group staying behind consisted of Urbosa, Riju, Revali, Teba, Daruk, LinkU and ZeldaC.
Urbosa and Riju intended go visit Vistro and Shirana after the meal.
Teba stayed behind because otherwise Tulin might have volunteered, and he couldn't have that right now. Tulin was one of those whose disappearance led to panic in the Post-Upheaval, so he needed to go back at least temporarily to assuage Saki and the Gale Brigade.
ZeldaU naturally needed to report to PurahU, and while initially LinkU was to accompany her...
"Allow me." His counterpart offered, "There must be things you wish to see here too, right?"
LinkC was really grasping at straws. His true aim was to see if any clues lay on the other side of the Gate. Clues about those stones, and this event Terrako couldn't identify.
But it turned out there was something. LinkU actually wished to visit Hateno Village to see his old home, his parents and sister. Something LinkC had his own reasons for not doing yet.
Nevertheless, he granted it.
"I think I will. I'm sure you know what our duty is, after all."
From what LinkU and ZeldaU could see, their counterparts still hadn't realized their own feelings yet. LinkU figured that wasn't his business. To him, ZeldaC was still Zelda. He would never trade, but she was still worth laying down his life for. He knew his counterpart would be the same way, whatever other motives he may have.
Daruk initially wished to accompany them, but instead was instructed by King Rhoam to accompany LinkU to Hateno Village as a guide.
"Yeah, okay. Whaddaya say, Yunobo? Us and the little guy at Hateno?"
"I... Actually have my own reasons to check in ASAP..." Yunobo chuckled nervously.
In response to Daruk's puzzled look, SidonU told him, "Yunobo has a child of his own, a bit older than mine and a fine playmate! He's a bit reckless at his age, though, and I'm sure Yunobo is anxious leaving him be too long!"
"Ah! Got it! Man, I can relate! Just started training my own son myself!"
Dad, huh? Yunobo smiled strangely. His relationship with his father was complicated, to say the least. I should try talking to him again when I get back...
The meal passed mostly without incident. King Rhoam sat at the head, each version of his daughter on both sides.
"You know... it's comforting to see how much you are beginning to look like your mother..." He ventured, addressing both in a different way.
"Thank you, that truly means a lot" ZeldaU responded.
ZeldaC felt compelled to speak, too, "This hair was always for appearances, mostly. Maybe I should cut it, now that I see how good it looks!"
"I had doubts myself, but I don't regret it. PurahU actually did it for me."
"Is she alive? I understand Impa managed to live that long, too!"
Yes... but you wouldn't imagine the contrast. ZeldaU chuckled to herself, allowing this brief respite to be enjoyable.
She also noticed a slight blush on ZeldaC, and suspected a question about LinkU.
Urbosa had been kind enough to refrain from probing (for now), but she wondered if she had mentioned it to ZeldaC. She wasn't aware yet that ZeldaC had witnessed their closeness in that room, having been preoccupied with Terrako.
ZeldaC was indeed wondering about that but asking it in such public company wouldn't be proper, so she refrained. Instead...
"Terrako seems quite interested in that device! It looks like a Sheikah Slate."
"Oh? That was actually the inspiration for it. It's called the Purah Pad."
Terrako was floating near the table where the pad was deposited, seeming to gaze at it.
But it was really interacting with it remotely already, combing through the memories within. It began analysis at the point 5 years prior, when Link and Zelda had descended beneath the castle...
In minutes, it saw it all. The Demon King shattering the Master Sword, Link's subsequent journey from the Great Sky Island. The tasks of gathering the Secret Stones and awakening the Sages, purging the Depths of Yiga presence and... the Dragon's Tears. The truly important, truly shocking information.
It watched Zelda's journey through the age of Hyrule's founding... the Heartwarming bonds with Rauru and Sonia... the heartbreaking murder of Sonia by Ganondorf... the hopeless state of things as he conquered the land... the painful fight and conclusion of the Imprisoning War... and finally...
PROTECT THEM ALL!
The unbelievable sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice of one's very self its Master made.
It horrified the little Construct. Though it was watching in sped up time through intetnal memory, it externally let out a despairing wail whose sped-up nature made those around it mistake it for a random beep.
It kept watching to the end, speeding through the retrieval of the Master Sword, watching the Final Battle carefully for hints of how its Master returned to normal.
What it saw in answer to that offered little comfort. It was indeed a wonder, a miraculous event of grace from beyond... but it offered no solution.
MasterU was correct. Such a solution could not be counted on. Terrako calculated a 0.0000000001% chance it would turn out that way. It had to think of something. The Demon King must be eliminated. Never to threaten Master again(?)... but how?
As it struggled internally, conversation between two Zeldas continued.
"Purah managed to do that? It's truly a wonder! Father, perhaps this could be a project our own Purah could work on?" ZeldaC suggested.
"It is worth noting that much of the later development was done by Robbie..." ZeldaU mentioned, feeling a bit compelled. RobbieU was already touchy about not being included in the name, best to at least acknowledge him.
"It might indeed be a worthwhile endeavor. Impa, could you go notify Purah of this?" King Rhoam ordered casually.
Impa was standing at attention, allowing Paya to sit next to Ertis. They were to accompany the team heading to the Gate, and she figured she could take her turn talking to her descendant on the trip over.
"At once, your Majesty!" She departed the room to go where Purah, Robbie and Josha were, who had elected to eat while working further on the Battle Construct.
The meal was coming to a close, Paya telling Ertis small details of her life growing up. She avoided her parents' passing, though it seemed her grandfather had picked up on that. He was only a slightly-above-average warrior, but his mind and empathy were beyond sharp.
Of all the Shiekah, Ertis was the most renowned for picking up on human psychology purely by his own knowledge. He put this to use while studying military strategy.
He had gained enough acclaim to court Impa by virtue of being the most accomplished strategist in both the Shiekah tribe and Hyrule Army. Many times he had predicted the tactics of the Yiga Clan and helped counter them.
It only got him so far during the Great Calamity, where there enemies weren't humans but hoards of slavering monsters and relentless Guardians, but even then he could occasionally anticipate even Astor's most unexpected targets.
"We actually have the village more open to others now. We gained some interesting landmarks around the time I took the position of chief. I met Tauro around that time."
"Yeah!" Came the enthusiastic voice on the other side of Ertis, "Crazy times! Back then I had opportunities for multiple breakthroughs, and Paya was able to help me so much! I think we kinda started bonding back then!"
"What exactly is it you research?" Ertis asked, "You seem like an archeologist."
"I'm actually the Head of the Zonai Research Team! We got all kinds of... oh! My mistake! Maybe another time..." A glance from Paya told him to exercise prudence.
She had already established the need for caution with ZeldaU, as well as where to draw a few of the lines for now.
As the meal wrapped up, ImpaC burst back into the room.
"Your Highness! I'm so sorry! They're gone!"
"Gone?! Who?!" Urgency filled the room, but Impa looked only extremely frustrated.
"My stupid sister and the rest... they left this note..."
It read:
Hey Guys!
We asked Josha to guide us to that Gate ahead of you! We really want to check it out!
Don't worry, we got that Battle Construct going at full capacity, so we should be fine! We'll see you there when you arrive!
Purah
Things became more rushed now. Not so much panic, but they felt the need to catch up as quickly as possible.
As they prepared, Terrako seemed to observe them all closely. It seemed to have something in mind, but nobody took notice.
Shortly, the Gate team departed, but the planned ambush from the Yiga was already underway.
Passeri Greenbelt
When they arrived, a fight was already underway.
A lone Battle Construct was surrounded by a small monster hoard, fighting evenly but slowly losing ground.
"Josha!" ZeldaU called out.
"Oh hey, Princess! A little help would be appreciated! Though it looks kinda like they have reinforcements, too!" Josha called back as she fought, a bit strained as she concentrated but still surprisingly nonchalant.
They then noticed a small group of Yiga targeting them, Raiga among them.
Also...
"That's Ronj! One of the Seers! What is he doing here?!" ZeldaU exclaimed.
"It seems someone had crossed the Gate before us..." Paya intoned bitterly. What a shameful oversight.
SidonU set down his son and erected a water barrier around him. It diverted some of his own fighting strength, but he had his priorities.
"Sister! I need to stay close to my son!" He glared at a pair of charging Moblins "Assist the front in my stead!"
"Very well! If they manage to scratch him though..."
"Healing would be appreciated!"
"...Indeed" Mipha had actually been talking about retribution on any who dared. It was a sort of protective vindictiveness usually reserved for SidonC or, more often, Link.
Unaware, SidonU held up his hand as Tulin took to the air... and their Secret Stones glowed. They intended to end this quickly, utilizing their powers in the ways they had honed in these past 5 years.
LinkC noticed the glow as he cut down one of the unusual Moblins, and so did the rest.
Sidon unleashed his fury, glowing a light blue. This was a kind of berserker charge he utilized since long before, even when he fought at their side during the Calamity. It had new features though.
He unleashed a powerful, shark-shaped blow (itself larger and denser than before) on two Moblins at once, heedless of any attack. This ability let him temporarily ignore any damage, but it would catch up with him after the battle. Or it used to.
One Moblin landed a hit with a heavy claymore before it died, leaving a large gash on the Zora King's chest... that began rapidly healing.
Sidon never managed to get the hang of first aid, it was true. Zora's water manipulation was useful in treating wounds and ailments, and Mipha's Grace took that to miraculous new heights never seen before or since.
Sidon couldn't master healing others. But his own healing factor was greatly boosted almost instinctively, something he even utilized during the Upheaval.
When using his Secret Stone, this vastly increased the rate of healing, to where he could tank heavy blows and fully recover in 10 seconds or less at full capacity. It varied depending on how much he channeled into this healing, which he would adjust to put more into attacks or defense.
Tulin, meanwhile, shot arrows fused with Muddle Buds, confusing the Bokoblins in ways that only Ronj was familiar with. He used his wind to slightly adjust arrow trajectory, a feat Revali often utilized along with powering up his arrows, to ensure hits.
"Hah! I've never seen that kind of arrow before!" Revali laughed watching the Bokoblins attack the confused Yiga footsoldiers, "Good aim, kid! The wind is at our backs!"
"You think that's impressive, watch this!" Tulin enthusiastically activated his Secret Stone and flew circles around a small group, generating a powerful tornado that swept them off the ground.
Fusing a Fire Chu Jelly, he laughed 9 wind-powered arrows in succession into the cyclone. The arrows pierced each foe, the wind armor keeping them from breaking, so that the flaming arrows kept swirling around inside, each scoring multiple hits.
"Impressive! I've never been challenged to keep up like this!" Revali felt a need to keep up, experiencing the adrenaline rush he craved, "That anklet seems like quite the boon!"
"I usually wouldn't bother for something like this, but we're in a hurry!"
In all this, there were three not fighting.
ZeldaU approach Josha, who was taking the opportunity for respite, "What happened? Where are Purah and Robbie?!"
"They're fine! I told them to go on ahead while I fend these guys off! I'm getting tons of data!"
By now, Purah and Robbie were already at the Gate, crossing over and causing confusion.
Meanwhile Ertis stood in a guarded position, dagger in hand, observing the movements of their foes. His instincts told him to keep an eye out.
This reeks of desperate opportunism...mostly. But it also slightly hints at a plot... what are they after?
The monsters, though acting on instinct, seemed to be targeting small pockets of the battlefield. The Yiga were also moving in an unusual way, in a way that the one called Ronj didn't seem in on... or Raiga. Wasn't he the one giving orders?
Wait! No! If they want an opening... He looked for where was the most exposed, then deduced their true aim.
"LinkC! They're after Terrako!" He called. Too late.
A puff of smoke appeared in the relatively isolated area where Terrako had taken refuge.
When it cleared, there stood Sooga, the second in command of the Yiga Clan, holding Terrako.
His body now had visible scars all over, any exposed skin had more than one visible line, a memento of his near-death at Astor's hands, as well as his reasons for keeping both Raiga and Ronj in the dark of his secret orders from Kohga.
(Not so much "orders", though. He had expressed concern to Kohga about whether Raiga and a few fresh soldiers were capable of taking Terrako while preventing Ronj from doing the same, and Kohga responded "If you're so worried, go babysit!")
"Hey!" Ronj shouted, " What gives?!"
"Lord Sooga! Why did you not inform me you would be here?" Raiga asked.
"I have a responsibility to cover for my naive subordinates. You'll have to forgive my secret instructions to your underlings..." Sooga responded.
"Not at all! I get it!" Rather than rage, Raiga felt deeply honored. Master Kohga had sent Sooga to ensure the plan? That must mean he saw promise!
Ronj, though, was indeed outraged, "So that's it, huh? You want to keep Lord Crowl from his prize? Not on my watch!"
It seemed ready to turn into a three way fight, but Terrako began to tremble.
"DESTINATION IMPEDED. ENACTING EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT. DEMON KING ELIMINATION STRATEGY EMPLOYED EARLY AT 89.7% PREPARATION!"
It had intended to make a suggestion at the Gate. Convince its Masters. But things were going wrong now.
The Gate needed to be stabilized remotely. That was already 99% prepared.
The problem was the calibration of targets. 67% calibration.
It needed a certain number on each side to maintain and stabilize full Zonai Door compatibility. The incomplete state had made unlimited crossing easy, but these new interlopers showed the need for increased security, and a more stable method.
As for the final element... 100% ready.
"ACTIVATE!"
Terrako let loose a blinding flash.
"What's going on?!" ZeldaU exclaimed.
"Terrako, stop! Enough of this!" LinkC cursed.
"Master Revali! You're GLOWING!" Tulin called.
"Wha?!" Revali looked at himself. Indeed, he was. So were ZeldaU, LinkC, Mipha, Impa, Ertis and Josha...'s Battle Construct.
Elsewhere, Daruk, Teba, Urbosa and King Rhoam were also glowing.
SidonU felt something was up, he decided to act on his instinct. Seizing his son, he placed him in Mipha's arms.
"Sidon?!"
"I have a feeling I need to do that, don't ask me-"
In another moment, they all flickered out.
The enemy as well. All monsters, Yiga soldiers, and the Seer were gone. As was Terrako.
This was when they appeared on the other side of the Gate.
"You guys, go to the Gate!" Paya ordered among those who remained, "I noticed a similar flash in town!"
The flash had been bright. When Paya averted her eyes, she saw a similar blip in the direction of Hyrule Castle.
"Josha, you go with them, I'll head back to the castle! Fill in the others when you get there!"
"But... my Battle Constr..."
"NOW IS NOT THE TIME!"
Back to the Present
POST-UPHEAVAL FUTURE
The dust had settled, and some awkward introductions were on order. The new arrivals stood near the newly transformed Gate.
Finally, PurahU approached.
"Princess... is that you? And... did Linky get younger?"
ZeldaU stepped forward, taking a deep breath, "You are a sharp one, PurahU, I'm sure you've grasped the situation."
"Like heck I have! I heard what was probably on the other side, so the people here now, I get! But why?! What was that light?! Why did they come here?! What happened to the Gate?!" PurahU finally snapped.
PurahC stepped forward, "Maybe I can help. If anything has the power to alter the Gate, it would be the maker of it."
"Ya mean Terrako?" RobbieC asked.
"Yeah! That should be a solid answer!"
"That just raises more QUESTIONS!" PurahU was experiencing for the first time a feeling many of her peers were used to feeling: Frustration at Purah, "Who in Hyrule is TERRAKO?!"
Her loud voice prompted Tidon to look up at the group, and saw Yona, who like Dorephan had been too stunned to speak.
"MA! EXPA!" He exclaimed, reaching out.
Yona suddenly blanked out hearing the voice of her lost baby. Without thinking she rushed forward as Tidon leapt into her arms.
Where SidonU had hefted him enthusiastically into the air, Yona embraced him tightly under her chin, stroking his head.
"I'm so happy you're safe! Thank the Goddess!"
Mipha softened, smiling as she watched. With the battle over, she could relax.
So this is his mother? I feel as if I've seen her before...
"Mipha... my dear Mipha... is it truly...?" She noticed a shaking voice and looked to see the visage of her father.
Zora stopped visibly aging over short periods, so he looked mostly the same, only slightly aged after 100 years. But he no longer wore royal garb. He looked more like a large, elderly Zora traveler, but one who enjoyed his travels, going by his demeanor.
There was also Muzu next to him, staring agape at her, as if unable to believe his eyes.
Right... it was in this future where I...
It became clear immediately after the fight which side of the Gate they were on.
"Father... Muzu... please, do not cry on my behalf." She urged them, unsure of what else to say, when she was suddenly snatched up by her large father, held close to his cheek as tears streamed down his face.
"Mipha...forgive me... I'm so sorry! I couldn't protect you! You were lost to us! I..." A stream of apologies flowed forth, Mipha didn't interrupt.
This must have been long held, even as he enjoyed the newfound peace. She needed no apology, she doubted the Mipha of this future would have felt any differently, but she allowed it.
When Dorephan exhausted himself, he put her down, and she was approached by Yona.
"I apologize... I was a bit distracted..." Yona spoke with the same air of awe and respect SidonU always addressed her with, "You are Lady Mipha, yes? I could never forget your inspiring aura as long as I live..."
"No need for formalities, Your Highness." Mipha responded amicably, with the indication she knew who she was, "I would much rather hear your name. You indeed look familiar..." She decided not mention how SidonU had seemed reluctant to mention it.
"Oh yes! I am Yona! My father was a diplomat from the Eastern Domain, and I always accompanied him, remember?" She seemed eager, like a starstruck teenager, a stark departure from her usual calm dignity.
Yona...ah! That's right! A young lady a bit older than SidonC.
Thinking back, she remembered lecturing him about proper behavior more than most times after Yona visited. He strangely acted out more often...
Was there already something there? My word! I never noticed! She gave a slight giggle to herself.
"Um... Where is SidonU, if you don't mind my asking? He went through the Gate... have you seen him?"
The elephant in the room suddenly got noticed.
At the same time.
"Hey! You're not my Dad! Where is he?! Oh! You look like the old Boulder Man from the City!" Darvil had run up to Daruk.
"Old Boulder Man" referred to the Daruk statue in Goron City. Yunobo had explained this to him, but he had yet to ingrain the connection between the Old Boulder Man and the Legendary Warrior Daruk his father and grandfather would extoll him with tales of.
"Easy, little fella..." Daruk rubbed his head, looking to Slergo and Offrak, "You guys okay?"
He was kind of confused. Before this he was heading to the Stable with LinkU when he began glowing.
"You're the Great Daruk! Grandfather of President Yunobo!" They screamed in unison.
"President? Huh?..." Now he was more confused.
At another sector...
"You're... Me?" ImpaC posited in disbelief at the small old lady before her.
The two Purahs were being separated for now to prevent further distraction. RobbieU, meanwhile, had quietly slinked away, unnoticed by RobbieC.
"I suppose I'm a disappointment. Age affects us all in ways we often don't prefer..." ImpaU chuckled, "That look on your face... oh dear, don't tell me I sound like our mother."
"A little bit, yeah..."
"Ertis always did warn me about becoming too wizened..." She looked at the young man next to her counterpart, "This must be terribly confusing for you, dear. I hope you've met Paya?"
'Uh.. yeah... She, actually requested I specifically come see you." Ertis was as speechless as his fiance next to him.
"She's always been thoughtful like that, even if a bit misguided in it." ImpaU sighed, "She honestly needn't have troubled you. I had already resolved myself to meet my dear family in the afterlife once my time was up."
"You... seem to have endured quite a bit." The sympathatic voice of Ertis muttered.
"Perhaps, but I never complained. Only in private to my husband." ImpaU, while grateful Paya thought of her, was of a different mindset.
Getting sentimental about a lost version of the future would do her no favors. Her experiences were hers alone, and she moved forward while preparing her successors to inherit the future she would one day leave behind.
"Still like that, huh? Good to see you are still the strong dependable chief I swore myself to..." Ertis noticed the old woman holding back tears, but knew better than to mention it.
ImpaC could only watch.
I should probably talk to her in private later... She felt she could learn something from this old woman that had lived another version of her life.
With Revali...
"Master Revali! What happened? I thought Tulin was with you!" Teba demanded. He had been accompanying Urbosa and Riju to Vistro's home when he had begun glowing. Saki rushing up to them.
"Tulin is where?! Did you find him?! Why is he not here!?" Her motherly instincts overrode Revali's presence.
"I can tell you what happened, so calm down!" Revali hurriedly responded.
Didn't Boria and Craj just have a kid? Craj, you poor soul...
With Urbosa...
Bularia had approached, weapon drawn. She was being more cautious than most, not immediately recognizing Urbosa.
"Where is Lady Riju?" She asked, respectful but trepidatious.
"If I'm lucky, she's were I was moments ago." Urbosa was calm, assessing the situation. Moments ago, she had just knocked on the door of Vistro's residence, awaiting the response when she and Teba were whisked here.
"It seems she has a loyal aide. Seeing your face, are you of Secre's family line?" Secre was an ambitious Gerudo general in Urbosa's time. Bularia bore a heavy resemblance to her.
Urbosa was right on the mark. Bularia was her descendant, as well as a childhood friend of Urbosa's own granddaughter. She finally recognized her face from pictures her late friend had shown her in her youth.
"Lady Urbosa? Forgive my rudeness!" She prostrated herself.
"No need for that now. I am not your chief, am I?" Urbosa smiled, then turned around to ZeldaU.
"Little Bird... I think it's time we settled down and regrouped"
ZeldaU agreed.
Everyone had gathered around as ZeldaU updated them on everything that had happened to her since she disappeared.
She left out her concerns she had discussed with the Sages but gave them the whereabouts of those not present. She told them what had happened on her way back, ending at when she appeared with the others.
She also introduced another guest, who had emerged from behind the empty Battle Construct that had arrived with them during her explanation.
"This... is my father. King Rhoam Bosphamorous Hyrule."
"You say that so casually." PurahU sighed, "Won't his absence over there cause more problems?"
"I don't think so!" PurahC interrupted, "The Gate is still there, right? We can just have him go back, easy-peasy!"
"Unfortunately... I have already attempted that." King Rhoam told them, "Observe."
He approached the Gate, as he had during the commotion before.
This time, unlike before when one could simply cross it, the signature lock on a Zonai Door appeared. He put his hand on the handprint symbol... and an error noise played, a large red X flashing on the door.
"ONLY AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS MAY GRANT ACCCESS" Rang a Construct voice.
"It didn't do that before! Why is it acting like a Zonai Door all of a sudden..." PurahU wondered.
"Hey, look! The other side!" Offrak pointed.
Unlike its previous state, the Gate now shown like a green-tinted mirror, the other side could be clearly seen.
Someone had actually approached, just now, being rejected entry.
"Huh?! Why's this here anyway?" They could hear her exclaim.
It was Josha having just arrived with the others.
"Josha! There you are!" Both Purahs said at once.
The rest of the ones who were at the site of the incident were also there.
The situation, it seemed, was though they could see and hear each other through the Gate, they were now unable to cross. But the next part made things worse
"Maybe Terrako can grant access!" PurahC suggested, "Why don't you ask it?"
"Huh?" Josha looked incredulous, "Terrako? You mean it's not with you?!"
To Be Continued...