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gooserings · 2 days ago

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And The Clock Strikes

Summary: It’s a tough battle, but in the end, our heroes are victorious as always. Everything is fine. …Legend is holding Time’s ocarina. Everything is not fine.

Word Count: 2,794

ive been thinking about putting legend in a time loop fic for weeks. its like im in my own version of a loop. a legend loop, one might say.

Read on Ao3 :) it has slightly different formatting, notes, and tags

Wild’s Hyrule was beautiful.

Scattered light filtered through the vibrant trees, casting a soft, dreamlike glow on the wildflowers and grass at their feet. Their meandering path was filled with the faint birdsong of fluttering sparrows, and Time had seen more families of deer in two days than he had in months on the ranch. It reminded him of a children’s story, as if he had stepped into one of the Hylian fairytales Malon had told him as a child.

(Fairytales for the fairy boy, she had laughed. It had taken his breath away, even back then.)

Still, despite the beauty, Wild’s Hyrule was large and empty.

None of the heroes were strangers to long hours of walking at this point in their adventure, but three days of walking was beginning to take its toll. Wind had drifted from his normal position at the front of the group to trailing behind, occasionally grumbling about the superiority of boats to a sympathetic Sky, and even Wild and Hyrule were slower than usual - although Time was half-convinced they were only slowing down to keep from outpacing everyone else.

Almost worse than the sheer distance, though, was the boredom. There was only so much entertainment to be found in beautiful grassy fields, after all. They hadn’t run into anything larger than a bokoblin camp since the day before, and everyone was getting restless. Any conversation had died out hours ago, and even Legend and Warriors’ best attempts at bickering were halfhearted and exhausted.

Time glanced upwards at the sky, verifying the ticking clock in the back of his head with the position of the sun. (It was correct, of course, but you can never be too careful when dealing with time travel.) They still had four hours before they would normally stop for the day, but Time doubted anyone would complain about setting up camp an hour or two earlier.

“Wild,” Wind whined, drawing out the name. “How much longer?”

Wild snorted and turned -

(tick-tock, tick-tock, tick- tick- tick—)

Time’s stomach dropped on his next step. He stumbled, and quietly thanked Four when the smithy attempted to steady him.

Wild snorted and turned, walking backwards as he answered Wind. “It’s only—“

“Time, down!”

Time hit ground before he had even fully processed Legend’s shout, barely dodging the arrow aimed for his throat. Legend had yanked Four back as well, and the arrow embedded harmlessly into the ground where the smithy once stood.

Monsters poured out of the forest as Time shoved himself off the ground, barely dodging the heavy blow of a tall, gangly moblin.

The moblin’s club hit the ground with a loud thud, knocking the monster off balance and giving Time the perfect opportunity to draw his sword and slash at its side. Black blood spewed from the cut.

The moblin recovered quickly, snarling and raising its club once more. He parried with his sword, knocking the moblin on its back and allowing him to shove his blade through its throat, separating its head from its body.

As the monster fizzles away into magic, Time spun to scan the battle around him. There were monsters from multiple eras, likely dropped here by a portal. They had surrounded the heroes in overwhelming numbers, trapping them too close together to risk using any kind of area attack. This was an ambush.

“Bubbles - watch out!” Hyrule shouted, throwing his boomerang across the fight and hitting the bubble that a pair of lizalfoes were pushing Twilight towards. The save had left Hyrule’s side open, and Time rushed forward to block a dive-bombing aerocuda from landing a hit on the younger hero.

An arrow tore through the aerocuda’s wing, and from the corner of his eye, Time could barely see Wild perched in a nearby tree, his body cloaked in stealth magic. Arrows continued to fly from his position in the tree, taking out the other aerocudas and bubbles.

Time continued to fight with Hyrule at his back, slicing through what seemed like an endless supply of enemies. It was exhausting, and although no one had been badly injured yet, Time didn’t know if they could keep this up. He could already feel himself growing sloppy, legs burning as he blocked a blow from one of Sky’s moblins. Hyrule jumped in to finish it off, favoring his right leg as he swung.

Fire roared past him, pushing some of the enemies back, and Time glanced just enough to see Legend switch his fire rod for a large hammer.

“Wind,” Legend called out, ducking under a dinolfo’s axe without looking and letting Warriors finish it off, “Throw some bait!”

“Wha-?“ The sailor’s question was cut off by a strange, high pitched laughter and a loud curse from Warriors. “Fucking neh-nehs?” He shouted incredulously, ducking behind Sky to dig through his bag. He pulled out a handful of small red balls and threw them towards Legend.

The moment the bait touched the ground, a swarm of small, horned monsters melted from the shadows and rushed towards it, where Legend and Warriors were waiting with hammers.

Distracted by the laughter and hordes of enemies, Time didn’t notice the wizzrobe until it was too late. His body seized as he was hit by electricity, and a blow to his legs sent him sprawling on his back. With a start, he realized the monsters had been slowly pushing him and Hyrule apart, leaving him alone and paralyzed.

The others weren’t doing any better. The wizzrobe had begun teleporting around, shooting lightning and separating the heroes one by one, trying to overwhelm them with sheer numbers.

A moblin loomed over Time, but there’s still electricity in his muscles and he can’t do anything but twitch.

The moblin raised its spear. Time closed his eyes.

Warm blood splattered on his face, and he opened his eyes to see the tip of a knife pointing through the moblin’s throat.

The electricity finally faded from his limbs and he scrambled as the moblin fell forward and dissolved, dropping Legend’s knife into the dirt.

Legend’s arm is outstretched from throwing the knife, but he’s looking away from Time. Following his gaze. Time sees Four collapsed on the ground.

Twilight dove down through the enemies to protect their smithy, one arm digging through his bag while the other held up his shield, and Time rushed forward, slashing at enemies and standing guard over the two as the rancher pulled out a fairy, uncapping the bottle and gently tipping it out onto Four’s chest.

Legend hadn’t moved yet, eyes still locked on Four. A bubble was floating towards him.

“Legend!” Time yelled out, blocking another blow as the fairy flew away. Legend tracked it with his eyes for a moment, his face flickering with something Time couldn’t name. The veteran sheathed his sword and whistled, drawing the attention of the enemies and heroes around them.

“Wild!” He shouted, turning to face the bubble and sticking a hand in his bag. “Bombs, now!”

There was a flash of blue in the trees, and Legend blew a fistful of sparkling powder at the bubble as the first bomb went off, shrouding him in smoke and dust. Time ducked down, raising his shield next to Twilight to protect Four.

There were more blue light explosions around them as Wild began chucking bombs out as fast as he could. The explosions doubled as Wind began laughing hysterically, and Time could only imagine the chaos happening behind his shield.

Time lowered his shield when the explosions slowed, and through the smoke he could see a fairy flying away. Legend’s sword was drawn again, glowing in the dusty air as he took down the remaining enemies.

“Go,” Twilight coughed. “I’ll stay with the smithy.”

Time nodded at his successor and joined Legend. The rapid bombing had taken out a large chunk of the monsters, and the ones that remained were weakened. They were no match for the heroes, and it wasn't long until the forest was clear once again.

Pulling his sword out of the final bokoblin, Time grimaced. The blade was covered in red and black blood and monster guts, as was his armor. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing as he brushed through a mixture of blood and dust.

These monster hordes were getting more and more common. He supposed they were lucky that the monsters in them were still fairly weak - the bubbles had been a nasty surprise, but he would choose bubbles over a horde of infected lynels any day.

Time took a step back to check on the others, and something metal clanked under his boot. Bending down, he picked up the knife that Legend had thrown to save him from the moblin. It was just as dirty as Time.

Wind was sitting on the ground next to Sky, grinning wildly as Twilight bandaged a nasty cut on his arm. Next to them, Warriors was inspecting Hyrule’s ankle while the traveler and champion fussed over Four, who kept batting their hands away grumpily until Wild shoved a rice ball in his mouth. None of them seemed too concerned about being covered in blood.

Time suppressed his laughter at the indignant look on Four’s face as he turned to look for the final, grumpiest hero.

Legend was standing where he was when the battle had ended, sword drawn and shaking slightly. There was something haunted in his eyes as he continuously scanned the treeline, eyes moving back and forth as if monsters would appear if he looked away.

“Legend,” Time called. The soft chatter of the other heroes quieted. “Everything alright?”

Legend turned towards Time, eyes wide and chest heaving. Now that the smoke had cleared, Time could see blood pouring sluggishly from his nose. Time took a few steps forward to see what was wrong but froze when he saw what the other was holding.

In one hand, Legend clutched his sword, fingers white in the tight grip. In his other hand, he held a familiar blue ocarina.

Time’s own hand drifted towards his belt, but his fingers hit nothing but air.

Legend had his ocarina. Time didn’t give it to him - at least, he hadn’t in this timeline. He had sworn to never use the ocarina unless he absolutely had to, and he didn’t even want to imagine a scenario where he had given it to one of his boys.

Something had gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Legend’s head snapped back to the tree line, and Time tensed, drawing his sword once more as he followed Legend’s gaze. He could hear the sounds of swords being drawn behind him as the others followed his lead.

There was silence for a moment, and then another, and another. Nothing came out of the trees. Legend continued to stare.

“Legend,” Time tried again, softer this time. “Is there anything else?”

Legend’s eyes didn’t leave the forest, scanning for any sign of movement.

“Link,” Time stressed.

The younger hero finally looked at Time and blinked slowly, as if he hadn’t known that the other was talking to him. For the first time, Legend’s walls were down, and all that Time could see was a kid. A scared, hurting kid.

“Is there anything else?”

“I don’t-“ Legend took a heaving, trembling breath, “I don’t know.”

Time instantly knew what was happening. He remembered the surreal, out of body experience he had when he finally beat Majora and didn’t have to keep looping - the overwhelming exhaustion mixed with a deep, encompassing fear that it wasn’t over, not yet.

(He still took first watch on full moons.)

The look in Legend’s eyes was the same one he used to wear. No wonder Malon had worried about him.

But now wasn’t the time to worry about that. He sheathed his sword as he moved towards Legend, keeping his movements slow like he would for a spooked animal.

“May I have that back?” He asked, gesturing towards the ocarina clutched tightly in Legend’s hand. Legend’s eyes darted down towards it, but his grip didn’t loosen. He was silent.

“I’ll give it back if you need it. That’s what happened the first time, right?”

Legend’s eyes moved back up at Time’s words. “It’s - it’s too easy.”

“I know, but everyone is alright. You did it.” Time kept his voice soothing, stepping closer to Legend. “I’ll trade you,” he offered, holding up Legend’s knife.

Slowly, almost robotically, Legend offered the ocarina to Time. His fingers remained clenched around the instrument and Time had to pry them away one by one. As soon as he was able to, Time stuffed the ocarina in his bag.

Legend’s empty hand was still outstretched, his eyes wide and blank, looking at nothing. Time reached up and as soon as he touched the back of Legend’s hand, the boy collapsed into his arms, dropping the knife once more.

There was noise behind him and Time turned to see Hyrule on his feet, hands glowing with healing magic. Warriors had a firm grip on the traveler’s wrist, but Time knew that the younger hero could easily escape the captain’s grasp, so he shook his head at the traveler. This wasn’t something that could be fixed with healing magic. Hyrule scowled at him but backed off regardless, turning back to Four so aggressively that Time couldn’t help but feel sorry for the smithy.

Time’s neck was damp with silent tears when he spoke next.

“How many times, vet?” He wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer.

“I don’t know.” Time’s heart broke a little more at the quiet admission. Legend’s voice was tired. “Didn’t know I was ‘sposed to keep count.”

Time chuckled sadly, one hand coming up to stroke Legend’s bloody hair. “I’m sorry.” I’m sorry you had to go through this. I’m sorry I gave this to you. I’m sorry that I’d do it again to save everyone.

Legend was quiet for a moment. “It’s over?” He asked quietly.

“Yes.”

“Everyone’s okay?”

“Yes.”

Legend sighed and pulled back. “Then don’t be sorry. I’d do it again.” His eyes were exhausted and still dulled, but Time could see a spark of his usual fire. “And I’d keep count.”

Time barked out a surprised laugh as Legend pushed him away, but kept one hand on the younger hero’s shoulder. “Hey, you-“

“It’s fine. I’m not even hurt.” Legend snapped, roughly wiping his face. He pulled his hand back when he touched his bloody nose, staring at his hand in surprise. “…I might need a green potion, though.”

“If you’re sure.”

Legend rolled his eyes, pushing Time’s hand away from him. He took a few steps towards the others, paused, and looked back at Time.

“Old man?

“Yes?”

Legend stood still for a moment, mouth twisting as he stared at Time. Finally he sighed and turned away again.

“Go clean your armor, you’re covered in guts.”

Time snorted as Legend stomped back to Hyrule, accepting his successor’s smothering and green potion with nothing more than a small scowl. His eyes trailed over each of them, hovering longer on the younger members of their group.

He grabbed Hyrule’s hand as the traveller tried to check him for injuries, lacing their fingers together tightly. Hyrule’s face pinched and he shoved Legend down against Four and sat down on Legend’s other side, holding Legend’s hand just tightly. Four softly rested his head on Legend’s shoulder, and everyone pretended to not notice the tears slowly dripping down the veteran’s face.

The others were looking at Time for answers but he shook his head. He bent down to pick up the knife again, staring at the dusty blood on it.

How many times? Time wondered. How many times did we die? How many times did he save me? How many times did I fail to save him?

Time just sighed and looked back at his brothers. He glanced around the small clearing they had found themselves in. They couldn’t spend the night here, considering the ambush that had just happened, but…

Legend’s eyes were closed and his breathing was steady. Time wouldn’t fool himself to think that the vet had truly fallen asleep that easily, but he was resting, at least. His expression was peaceful, and Sky was tucking his sailcloth around his shoulders. Even with his eyes closed, Legend kept one hand clenched around Hyrule’s and the other on his sword.

Mind made up, Time settled down at the edge of the group, facing the forest. They could rest here for a little while while Legend recovered. He would watch for monsters and keep the others safe - even if it was only in this timeline.

(tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock)

He pulled off the upper layer of his chest piece, and began to wipe it down.

#linked universe #linked universe fanfic #lu legend #lu time #time loop #outside pov of a time loop to be more specific #angst #hurt/comfort #ive written two fics in the past few weeks and now i'm basically never going to write again lol #unless i get hit with some form of insane inspo again #which is. not likely #okay enjoyyyyy #goose writes #goose_lu

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