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Wild had been just foraging in the forest around the camp when something caught his notion. He raised his Slate up to get a check on the thing but the device didn’t recognize it. It looked like a flower but the coloration was too odd for such. In fact that reminded him of the mechanical Guardians from his own era.
Curious of the unexpected thing, the Champion began to approach the oddity as carefully as he could. He frowned as the strange flower began to buzz like it would gathered electricity. Suddenly it shot a pulsing ball at him. He gasped and dived off the way but the thing didn’t crash into the tree. Instead, it divided as it avoided the obstacle and came back at him.
The Chain’s cook avoided the attacks again and brought out his Slate but the thing couldn’t get the fast going electrical balls into targeting. He needed to dive out of the way again before drawing out his sword. He had sometimes managed to strike Guardian Stalker’s beam right back at it so he knew what he was doing. Yet, he also knew that most of the others were far better than him with this kind of thing.
Unfortunately, as Wild struck at the first ball, it didn’t react the way it should’ve. Instead, it latched into his sword and struck hard. He screamed but no sound came out of him. He staggered backwards and shook his head. He needed backup so he swiftly whistled but no sound came.
The Champion jerked in shock. He screamed for his brothers’ names but he was entirely voiceless. That freaked the crap out of him and he hightailed out of the place. He needed to warn the others and get aid in dealing with the problem.
The rest of the Chain was at the camp having a calm moment when the running steps caught their notion. They reached for their weapons before recognizing Wild’s style of going. The nearly panicked over hundred years old youngster crashed into the camp almost crying. “HELP! I CAN’T SPEAK!” He signed while looking around and feeling thoroughly freaked out.
Time and Twilight were the quickest to move with the rest of the Heroes nearly instantly after them. The Rancher changed into Wolfie and swiftly pressed himself against his protégé. Wild crashed to his knees and hugged the wolf tightly while trembling. The Chain’s leader swiftly hugged his boy while already whispering reassuring and soothing words. Most of the others came close too while the rest kept close check on their surroundings in worry of whatever was at the fault of the situation had followed their brother.
“Sshh, it’s okay, Rascal. Everything’s okay. We’ll figure this out.” The one eyed male whispered gently while feeling the cook slowly calm down. “Tell what happened.” He requested when Wild pulled off a bit, yet his hands still shook from the shock of the situation and realization. “Sshh, you’re safe.” Time whispered while pulling the Champion into a tight hug.
It took a while of reassurances, gently running his fingers through the youngster’s hair and few kisses to the side of head before Wild took a deep breath and pulled off again to try to sign again. Yet, Time still held slight hold of him to give him support and comfort. The others gathered closer to see his explanation so he wouldn’t need to answer to same questions again and again.
The Chain’s leader was still doing his best to keep the boy calm and collected as he signed. His actions had come unconsciously as he simply wanted to help his boys in every possible way he could. That was the reason he jerked in shock when Wolfie growled. Nearly instantly afterwards he pulled off while blushing slightly in embarrassment. He gulped once while having realized of having taken Twilight’s place in reassuring and comforting the Rancher’s own protégé. He gave a short chuckle while trying to hide his hurt of having done something fully wrong. “Guess who’s jealous of not getting hugs in here.” He pointed out as calmly as he could.
The canine jerked in start before already yelping as Wild glomped him. By the time he was capable of throwing a glance at his mentor, Time had already turned his gaze off of them. Yet, he could notice the tension in the oldest Link but he wasn’t capable of doing much to fix the situation as he turned his notion into comforting the Champion.
“I’m going to go and give the area a check.” The Chain’s leader stated out firmly. “You guys stay here and help Wild to calm down.”
“Sprite.” Warriors called bit warningly.
“You know I can stay out of sight. I’ll be fine. I won’t take long.” The one eyed male replied almost defensively before already pulling his gaze off. The Captain had already started to frown and he knew his brother had seen enough to realize the situation. Yet, before anyone else could argue back, he already walked into the direction from where their cook had dashed from to them.
Time took out the Kokiri Magic to vanish into the forest around him but as his mind fell into self-blame, he unintentionally let go of the ability of hiding. “Stupid, stupid, stupid! You don’t have the rights to comfort them like that! Not when they’re having their closest brothers there. You’re supposed to stay stoic and strong! No wonder Twilight growled. I was doing his job there! Wild’s his cub! Not mine. Idiot.” He thought angrily in hopes of drowning out the hurt.
The Old Man knew he had acted unconsciously but it didn’t help his case. He was their leader. Their guardian. He was supposed to protect them! And yet, he had overstepped his rights there. Twilight had the rights to reassure and comfort Wild, not him.
When the oldest Link heard the buzz of electricity, he stopped dead on his tracks and snapped his gaze up into the thing. He growled and narrowed his gaze into a glare. He knew the Chain certainly was aware he wasn’t going to just check around. He drew out his Biggoron Sword while growling before already dashing towards the odd flower.
That thing had hurt one of the Chain’s leader’s boys. There was no chance he’d let it exist any of longer than needed. Real flower or not, he’d tear it to pieces for what it had done.
Time avoided the first attack while moving closer and swinging the huge sword. He grinned while knowing his attack would be devastating. Yet, his blade crashed against unseen force field that struck hard with something that felt like electricity even though it wasn’t such. He screamed voicelessly before the attack let go and he staggered backwards. He growled without a sound coming out, put his weapon away and struck with fire.
The magic brought the small round dome into sight but the earlier sent ball crashed roughly into the oldest Hero’s back. He screamed without a sound and crashed to his knees. He shook his head as the sound of the birds suddenly vanished. He didn’t pay attention into it as he just thought they had been scared away by something. Yet, what bit more worried him was the fact he didn’t hear the buzz that certainly was going around the flower.
The one eyed male gasped when new attack was sent at his way. He dived and somersaulted off the way before going for ice. There had to be a way to break the thing. As the dome seemed to glaze over, he grinned slightly. Yet, without hearing, the earlier sent off electrical ball came right at him. It was pure instinct that got him to dive off the way. He kept a check on the ball while hoping the odd plant would stay off from being a danger while he’d figure out how to deal with the flying danger. Yet, unheard to him, the loosely frozen dome cracked and broke. He wasn’t capable of avoiding the strike the flower sent at him.
Time crashed into the ground with a growl. He nearly snarled as he forced himself back to his feet and turned to face his enemy. The battle certainly wasn’t going as he had hoped for but it sure as hell wasn’t going to stop him from keep on trying to finish the thing off. He thought for a while about a bomb but he didn’t yet want to alert the others into the current situation so he scratched that idea off.
As the Chain’s leader tried to figure out a working strategy, the still around flying electrical magic ball came at him. He jerked into the feeling before turning towards the danger. Sadly, that was too late as the thing struck straight at his face and struck him back to the ground.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
“We should’ve gone with Time.” Wind grumbled while pacing around the camp.
“Agreed but he told he’d just check.” Legend snapped a bit.
“He should’ve been back by now.” Sky worried quietly.
Wolfie changed forms when Wild finally pulled off and gave a nod and a slight smile. “I didn’t growl at Time.” He straight off said while looking at the Captain. “He knows that, right? I was just growling at the situation. Not at him.” He explained swiftly while fully wanting to make it clear. “I’m happy he’s capable of helping us like that. He’s comforting to be around of. He’s just… He has this calming aura of sorts. His actions are gentle and his voice soothing. I…” He blushed and turned his gaze off while feeling bit embarrassed.
“I doubt he does.” Warriors whispered sorrowfully and got everyone to snap their gazes into him. “I saw it in his eye.” He told with a heavy sigh. “He was ashamed of his actions. He took that growl as ‘back off’ and felt like he was overstepping his rights as Champion’s your protégé, not his.”
“Shit.” Twilight growled and ran his fingers through his hair. “I gotta fix that.” He half whispered before turning towards the way the threat was at. “We better go check on the situation. Time’s been gone long enough.” He stated out and the others nodded firmly.
The eight Heroes drew out their weapons before Warriors gave out a whistle. They waited for a while but no reply came nor did their leader come into sight. “Let’s go.” He stated out and began to lead the way towards the strange flower Wild had found.
The closer they came to the right area, the more carefully the approach it. “Where’s Time?” Four queried worriedly when they got the odd flower into sight. He already looked around while bit hoping their leader was still using his magic of hiding than having ended up struck at all.
“There!” Hyrule suddenly shouted as he pointed to their right.
Time was sitting all hunched on the ground while bit leaning against the tree behind him. He had his arms wrapped around himself with knees close to his chest. His ears were fully drooping and he looked entirely defeated. Yet, there was no actual damage in sight.
“Time!” The Chain screamed out while being careful of not getting anywhere near of the dangerous flower as they dashed towards their oldest brother. Yet, before they even reached him, they knew something was wrong. The one eyed male didn’t react even one bit to them approaching him.
The eight Links crouched down around their leader in full worry while calling out his nicknames and real name. “Sprite?” Warriors called out while gently placing his hand onto his brother’s knee. The Old Man jerked in shock and soundlessly screamed out while snapping his gaze up. At the same time he already desperately backed away while drawing out his Gilded Sword and slashing. His boys gasped in shock while already recoiling away from the attack.
“Fuck… How many times he’s been struck…?” Legend queried while glancing between their freaked out leader and the strange flower.
Time gasped silently as he hit against another tree. He stared wide-eyed around him while keeping the sword in front of him with trembling hand. He searched for whatever had touched him but he clearly wasn’t seeing a thing.
“Sprite?” Warriors called again but his little brother didn’t react into the call. He very carefully moved closer but there still was no notion of him realizing a thing around him. The war Hero carefully waved his hand in front of the older male but still nothing. “He’s clearly been struck at least three times if each hit destroys one ability. He can’t speak, he can’t hear and clearly he can’t see.” He observed in desperation.
The Chain around the duo slumped in defeat. “What can we do?” Wind inquired sorrowfully.
“He can still feel so I just need to get close. I and him have secret way of talking with each other.” The Captain answered while knowing he was going to risk his life. And yet, he felt like there wasn’t any of other way.
“Careful.” Sky half whispered while watching bit fearfully as Warriors slowly and carefully approached his little brother again
The war Hero stopped for a moment and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. After that he lunged forward and grabbed the sword arm before already doing his best to pin down his little brother. Time screamed voicelessly and struggled while almost panicking in the situation. Yet, a moment later he jerked and fell rigid for a short while. After that he blinked few times while calming down. He mouthed a word as no sound came out.
“I’m here, little brother. It’s okay now.” Warriors tapped his finger firmly against the one eyed male’s arm. The Chain’s leader opened his mouth before shutting it tightly and just turning away from his brother. “It’s all right. We’ll figure this out. You’re safe.” The Captain continued calmly and felt his heart break as the once so strong male slumped in defeat and shame right before him.
Time uncertainly reached towards his brother’s arm before hesitating for a moment. Eventually he sighed and replied with the tapping language right against Warriors’ wrist. “I’m useless.”
“No, you’re not! We’ll figure this out.” Warriors tapped nearly furiously while still making sure he wasn’t hurting his brother by his actions.
Time snorted soundlessly. “I can’t do a thing right. I can’t even protect any of you. I’m just…” He hesitated before closing his eye in defeat. “I’m just an idiot to even think that I’d be needed.”
The Captain growled and pressed his hand over his little brother’s. The older male jerked a bit and snapped his eye open to look at his direction even though he couldn’t see a thing. “Stop being a fool. Everyone makes mistakes. We learn from them. Now, I’m going to move aside and you can sign to let everyone know how the battle went.” He stated out with the tapping and grinned. “We need the info you gathered. Also… How many times did it strike you?”
The one eyed male sighed and nodded. Yet, before the war Hero could pull away, he drew number four by his finger into his brother’s wrist. The younger male just nodded in understanding and moved aside.
“That thing struck Time four times. He’ll sign the explanation of his battle against that thing.” Warriors told as calmly as he could. After that he tapped Go against his little brother’s leg. Time sighed again without a sound and raised his hands up to sign. Yet, he soon frowned. He held his hands there while slowly beginning to panic. “Sprite?” The Captain tapped in rising worry.
The one eyed male dropped his hands down while breathing bit shakily and tad trembling. He stared forward even though sightlessly. He gulped once and shakily moved one hand over Warriors’ and began to tap on it. “I… I can’t sign. I know the moves but I can’t make them…” Yet, nearly instantly after that, he gasped soundlessly in shock as the war Hero yanked him into a tight hug.
“It’ll be okay, little brother. We’re here. We’ll figure this out. Just tap the info. I’ll let the others know.” The Captain carefully tapped against the older male’s back.
Time slumped in defeat before nodding. After that he started to tap and explain how the battle went. Warriors fully concentrated into the given information and nodded every now and then while making sure his brother actually felt the action.
Eventually the Old Man pulled off from the hold and picked back the position the Chain had found him in. The war Hero sighed heavily before, while keeping his hand on his brother’s leg, he turned towards the others and recited what their leader had just told to him.
“There’s a town several hours walk from here.” Wild suddenly told while checking his Slate.
“We probably should go to there. Maybe we can get some information considering the odd flower.” Twilight suggested and the others nodded.
“Go ahead and get the camp down. I’ll explain things to Time and we’ll join you soon. Wild, can you take Time’s stuff into safekeeping?” Warriors half commanded and the Champion nodded straight off. “Alright. See you guys in a moment.” He stated out before turning towards the Chain’s leader while the others headed off to undo the camp. “Sprite, there’s a town close by. A few hour walk. The others went to undo the camp. We should follow them.”
The oldest Link nodded at first before sighing heavily. “Leave me here. I’m no use like this.”
The Captain was quite shocked of his little brother’s claim. He fought to keep his tapping calm. “We’re NOT leaving you here! We’ll keep you safe.” It hurt to see the anger on the Old Man’s face and hear the snort. “We keep you safe just like you keep us safe. It’s just normal thing in family. We’ll figure this out, little brother.” He explained even though he felt like it should’ve been a given. Still, he almost slumped in despair as his little brother sighed heavily and simply nodded. “I’ll stay close by whole time. You’re safe with us.” He promised firmly before carefully helping Time up from the ground.
The Chain’s leader sighed and finally put the Gilded Sword away. He let the younger male guide him while feeling like a fool as he kept stumbling pretty much on everything. He had never felt so ashamed as Warriors sat him down to one of the logs and told that Twilight and Wild were handling their things too. He felt even worse when they left the place and started to head towards the town. This time it wasn’t Sky whose pace they picked but his and he hated it so much that he felt like throwing a raged fit over the uselessness and frustration. And it didn’t help even one bit that he just kept stumbling and needing Warriors to keep him to his feet and going to right way. For once he was grateful of not hearing a damn thing as he feared too much of otherwise hearing the boys commenting about his going or how defeated and ashamed he looked.
Time felt the ground change as they entered the town. He tried not to slump as he was certain of the people staring. “I’m sure we can find answers from here. The people seem to recognize your situation.” Warriors gently tapped the information and the one eyed male gave a weak smile and a slight nod of understanding.
It took a moment before they found the Inn. The Chain’s leader hated the fact of not handling the talking and paying for their stay. It was his job after all. Even though the war Hero warned him of the stairs as they headed forward from the receptionist’s desk, he still ended up stumbling and needing his older brother to keep him from crashing. He knew he had growled but that sound never came out of him. And yet, he only felt even worse after that.
“One room. We’ll pile on you tonight.” The Captain told after having helped his little brother to sit down onto the bed. Time just nodded before slowly taking his weapons off. The armor was already in safekeeping by Wild just so Warriors was capable of helping him through the road to here. Now, while hoping for best, his stuff was brought out too.
“We’re going for the recon and restocking. I’ll come to check on you after about an hour.” The war Hero explained while fully hating to leave the one eyed male alone into the room.
The Old Man nodded and hesitated for a second before sighing and tapping his answers. “Take your time. Find the answers. It’s not like I could help a damn thing like this.” He stated out as firmly as he could. Yet, he continued before his brother could start to argue back about that last line. “When you find the needed information about that odd flower and how to fix this, just go for it. I’ll just wait here like a nice little puppy.”
“What’s he saying?” Wind inquired while trying to figure out the way the tapping went and what it meant.
Warriors didn’t reply as he just growled and yanked his brother into a tight hug. “You’re not a puppy, Sprite. You’re Alpha Wolf.” He stated out firmly. “You just had bad luck. That’s all. You’re not useless in any of way.” He continued before bit grinning. “I mean, come on, would you be allowing this kind of thoughts from me or the others if they were in your place?” Time jerked and roughly pulled himself free from the hold. Even though he couldn’t see, he stared at his brother bit shocked. “You wouldn’t, would you. There’s no chance you’d let any of us think this lowly of ourselves. So, little brother, why you?”
The Chain’s leader grimaced and slumped. Yet, a moment later he silently sighed and relaxed a bit. “Sorry.” He tapped bit sorrowfully. “You’re right. I just… I hate this, Wars.”
The Captain gently pulled the oldest Link back into a hug. “I know, Sprite, I know. We don’t think any different of you during or after this. You did what you saw right. It just didn’t go well, that’s all. We’ll figure this out and fix it. For you and Wild. Just like you’d do for any of us.”
The Chain’s leader sighed voicelessly and relaxed in the hold. He even returned the hug by one arm for a moment before starting to tap his words out. “Just go and get this shit fixed. I’m counting on you eight for this.” He stated out before pulling off and giving bit stronger smile than before this hell started.
Warriors smiled fondly and nodded even though his little brother couldn’t see it. “Will do, Alpha Wolf.” He tapped with a slight grin before gently pulling his brother’s head bit downwards and kissing his forehead. “Love you, little brother. We’ll handle this as quickly as possible. We’ll come back as soon as possible and let you know how things went. We won’t handle things without you knowing of when, how, where and all that.” He promised firmly.
Time nodded firmly before flopping down onto the bed. He could feel the mattress shift a bit as Warriors got up but that was as far as his knowledge went. Yet, he knew his brother would’ve told him if one of them would’ve stayed with him. A moment later he turned to his side and just closed his eye. There was nothing else he could do than just lay there and wait.
The Chain really hated to leave their oldest brother alone into the room. And yet, how things had been going so far, they knew this was better choice. Still, each of them hoped that at least one of them would’ve stayed with him but only Warriors was actually capable of talking with him at the moment. The Captain was telling out how their conversation had gone through.
It was bit shocking for the seven Heroes to realize how strong their leader looked to outside but how shattered he actually was from the inside. This whole situation just was bringing out very clearly that their oldest brother was as much of human as they were and carrying way too much on his shoulders. Seeing him this helpless and brought down only made them really want to beat the shit out of whomever was at the fault of that odd plant.
Wild, whom had been struck once and forced into becoming mute, was already enough of reason for them to take down the oddity’s creator. That situation already was making them fuming mad. But seeing Time in worse condition than that… Yeah, they were beyond raged.
The eight Links divided into groups of two and left to wander around the streets and talk to everyone whom they crossed paths with. They checked any shops for both information and restocking. After several hours they gathered back to the Inn to share what they had gathered, both the told and bought things.
In the end they hadn’t gained much. The town was aware of the flower but no-one knew where or how it had appeared to there. Travelers and passersby were the ones that ended up struck by the thing. And, more often than not, they also ended up robbed as they stayed at the Inn. That information had been bit shocking but nothing they shouldn’t have figured out. There always were people who’d take the advantage of the given situation and easy target.
Just when Wild was up for taking over the kitchen to handle easy soup, that would be rather for drinking than eating, for dinner, there was sound of a loud crash in the second floor. The eight Heroes scrambled up from their seats and dashed to check the situation. Seeing their room’s door open was something they had not wanted to find. The closer they came to the room, the clearer the sound of struggling was.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It had been rather a feeling than of anything else that got Time to open his eye. He still scowled a bit when he couldn’t see a thing but he stayed still and waited. He knew for certain that his big brother would surely come in first and let him know of them being there for whatever reason. Yet, that didn’t happen.
It was just the instinct of a Hero, of a person whom has lived through hell and constant fear of danger lurking all around, that got the Chain’s leader to move slowly while being quite damn sure of not being alone in the room anymore. He couldn’t speak, he couldn’t hear and he couldn’t see so all he had was the enhanced senses of something being off. He closed his eye again and concentrated into anything while praying the Spirits of the masks he carried would aid him and that they weren’t affected by the condition that odd flower had left him in.
The just barely there being silent whisper was all the one eyed male got before he already dived out of the bed. He crashed onto the floor ungracefully and scrambled to his feet while already turning around. The warnings and commands of his second quest’s helpers were rather instinctual than of anything else as he did his best to avoid what- or whomever was attacking him.
Eventually the Old Man managed to grab his attacker’s arm and try to fight back. His punch missed and he inwardly cursed at that. Sadly, the one he fought with had far better chances and luck in striking at him. He gasped silently as the guy kneed him to stomach before already throwing him off. No sound came out as he half growled, half whined when he crashed roughly into a wooden chair and shattered it. He tried to scramble away, back to his feet, but the attacker he couldn’t see was already there. He was pinned down to his back and while, thanks to the soul-bound ghosts of the masks, had managed to grab the knife arm again, the guy’s other hand came to his throat. He panicked but without sight he wasn’t capable of doing much to save his life.
Suddenly the guy was off of him and he scrambled to sit up. He could feel there to be more than one whom had entered the room. Yet, he was too panicked to figure out if they were there to help or hurt him so he instinctively just fought and backed away before gasping a bit as his back hit the wall. He trembled while being unable to catch the ghostly whispers of the four accompanying him.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The Chain of Heroes from different eras didn’t think even for a second as they rushed into the room and yanked the guy off of their leader. Warriors, Twilight and Legend attacked the guy while the others crowded Time to help him.
“Guys! Back off! Don’t flock him!” The Captain snapped roughly and startled his brothers. “You’re freaking him out.” He told calmer while watching sorrowfully how the older male was trembling and waiting to be attacked again. He sighed and shook his head. “Sorry. Any other day your actions would’ve certainly helped but right now… He’s fully unaware of us being here.” He partly apologized and partly reminded.
The war Hero glanced at the Rancher and the Veteran holding the unwanted visitor down. “Check him. He might be the burglar people’s been talking about. After that, take him to the Knights with the charges of breaking in, robbery and attempted murder.” He commanded before slowly starting to approach the Chain’s leader.
Warriors reached out slowly and gently before touching his brother’s leg. The one eyed male gasped soundlessly and tried to pull his leg even more away from the touch. His brother followed the movement before already starting to tap. “I’m here, Sprite. You’re safe.”
Time sighed and visibly relaxed at the reassurance. He gave a weak smile and a slight nod. With that confirmation, the Captain carefully pulled him into a hug to let him calm down even more. After a moment of reassurances and soothing, he started to explain what they had so far found out.
By the time the war Hero, even though swift with his tapping, had gotten everything explained, the others had already returned from the given task and Wild had brought in simple Cheese Soup as it would be easy to eat. Soon after that, though, they already piled on the Old Man at the bed. Their oldest brother felt bit more secure and at safe with everyone close to him. Nonetheless, Warriors didn’t sleep much at that night since he wanted to make sure his little brother wouldn’t freak out in the morning.
The war Hero had slight argument of sorts with Time after a simple breakfast of sandwiches. The Chain’s leader’s second-in-command had no intentions of leaving his brother alone but the one eyed male didn’t accept that. Eventually, while desperately hoping for the best, the eight Links left the Inn and went back to the strange and dangerous flower.
The moment they got the oddity into their sight, they already attacked. Yet, they all used all kinds of ice and electricity magics. The swordsmen had bit of luck as they managed to straight off freeze the unseen force field and hence preventing the thing from attacking them. Hyrule and Legend struck with Thunder on full force, one right after the other to make it like one straight line. On that way, when the first one broke through the frozen dome, the second used the given opportunity to hit inside.
As the ice had shattered from around it, the Heroes could see the thing trying to regain its balance with the amount of electricity. Wild shot couple of electrical arrows while Sky dashed in with the Master Sword. At least he didn’t have that of much trouble with excessive amount of electricity as he had commanded lightnings before.
The Sacred Blade struck hard but the plant’s cord was sturdy. Yet, it still send several of the petals off and bit turned the flower part aside. “Keep attacking!” Warriors commanded before already striking with ice again.
With the relentless strikes, the mechanical thing wasn’t capable of charging and attacking them. The ice and electricity held the force field down and the Chosen Hero landed the slashes while little by little chipping pieces off of it. He did try few times to stab the thing from above but the sword just changed the angle and left a cut in there.
The Chain shared green potions and elixirs while starting to feel it wouldn’t be enough. They were running out of strength and magic while being entirely determined to take the plant down. Eventually Sky decided to do something bit crazy.
The current wielder of the Master Sword snatched the two lightning attacks of Legend and Hyrule’s by two swift swings. That shocked his brothers but he ignored it as he screamed and rammed the sword on full force down from top of the plant. The flower, luckily, was still glazed over with ice so it wasn’t capable of defending itself from the attack.
This time, though, the blade wasn’t diverted from its straight path. It struck through the oddity’s middle and cut the cord of it into two. The quiet buzz that had been going on whole time even though it hadn’t managed a thing, died out and the destroyed mechanical flower stood still.
Sky was panting and glaring at the strange colored plant. When he realized that the threat was gone, he sighed in relief and crashed to his knees. The others swiftly came over to him to check on the situation and, most of all, that their brother was all right.
“Sky?” Wild called and nearly jerked in shock. Everyone’s gazes fell into him on that second. “I… I can…” The Champion stammered while just barely realizing the situation. Yet, before he could fully comprehend of having gained his voice back, the seven others straight off glomped him.
“If you got your voice back, then…” Hyrule started while feeling fully happy of the notion. The others nodded while feeling fully eager of getting back to Time. Yet, before that they dug the whole destroyed thing out while still ripping the pieces apart just to be certain of it being out of usage. Only once they were certain of the flower being rendered safe, they shared the pieces with one another to make sure it would stay harmless. Yet, even though none of them was certain, they took the plant’s parts along.
Once done securing the situation, Twilight already looked almost pleadingly at the Captain. The war Hero just grinned and nodded once. On that second the Rancher smiled widely, dashed ahead of them and transformed into Wolfie before already running off as fast as his canine legs allowed. The others picked up on the pace as they headed after him.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Time gasped and sat up straight on the bed. He blinked few times in shock as he could actually see the room. He sighed in relief and flopped back down with a small smile on his face. The boys had managed to lift the magic or curse or whatever it had been. He really felt like he truly owed to them for having fixed the situation.
It was bit of waiting but eventually the one eyed male heard the thunderous sound of someone running. He stood up from the bed while having already recognized the footsteps of his blood relative. He grinned when the door was pretty much slammed open. “TIME!” Twilight screamed before already dashing in after noticing that mischievous grin and just hugging his mentor tightly. “I didn’t growl at you! I never could! I was growling at the situation! I was so happy that you could help Wild the way you did!” The Rancher nearly wailed out while holding on as tight as he dared to.
The Chain’s leader returned the hug calmer before bit chuckling. “It’s good to see and hear you again, Cub.” He whispered before bit pushing the youngster off. “How’s Wild and everyone else? Are you all safe and sound?” He queried straight off after that.
“Wild’s talking again. I doubt he’ll stop talking anytime soon.” Twilight answered with a small smile. “None of us got hit. We struck with ice and electricity straight off.” He explained before already giving full report of their fight against the thing.
“Time, I swear I wasn’t growling at you.” The Rancher stated out after having finished his explanations. “I mean it when I say that I’m happy of you having helped Wild.” He pointed out as firmly as he could.
The Old Man felt tad uncertain but he nodded before sighing. “But… He’s your protégé. I—“ He started before bit jerking as his blood relative put his hand over his mouth.
“We’re all your protégés, Time” Twilight stated out firmly. “As I’ve learned, protecting isn’t only about taking down the hardest monsters or taking a hit for others. It holds in far more.” He told calmer while letting his hand fall. “Protecting means looking after. Helping in any way possible. You got instinct to care for others and you figure out fast what kind of aid is needed. You protect us by being here for us.”
“You should listen to your boy, there, Sprite. He’s got a point.” Warriors suddenly spoke from the doorway. Time gasped a bit and snapped his gaze to him before already grinning as everyone just forced the war Hero inside so they could get past him and scramble to the bed. The one eyed male gasped a bit as his boys yanked him back down to the bed just so they could embrace their oldest brother. Yet, the Captain just chuckled and grinned at the scene. Once having latched themselves on their leader, one by one, they started to thank him on having helped their brothers.
“Thank you for having helped Ledge with nightmares.”
“Thank you for having looked after Twilight when he was sick.”
“Thank you for having calmed Hyrule down after he panicked and couldn’t change back from fairy form.”
“Thank you for having aided Four in figuring out how to get that specific sword made.”
“Thank you for having searched out the right kind of piece of wood for Sky to make that specific carving he wanted to create.”
“Thank you for having talked Warriors through the hard memories of the war and set some of his past at ease.”
“Thank you for having encouraged Wind to talk to the end when the topics weren’t the easiest ones to speak of.” Warriors finished while having come to the bed too. His brothers swiftly made room for him before bit yelping as the war Hero grinned and forced them all down to lay on the bed. He held tightly while feeling entirely grateful of his little brother being back to normal. “Thank you for being here, Sprite.” He whispered fondly.
Time had been fully taken off guard by the words and he had started to bit blush at all the things he was being thanked of. Yet, he was smiling fondly and calming down in the hold. “I know none of us slept much last night but… I’ve had enough of silence for a while. If anyone wants to talk about absolutely anything, I’d love to listen.”
“Only if you talk too. We’ve missed your voice, you know.” Wind replied with a grin.
“It’s a deal.” The one eyed male replied straight off while grinning. “Okay, up. I want to see you all. For way too many hours I’ve been too senseless to let that continue on any of longer.” He stated out while gently pushing and ushering his brothers up and off him. He grinned when the others chuckled and laughed and he very much loved that sound right there and then. “Though, a reminder, don’t overdo your voices. I just need sound right now.” He told firmly while wanting to make sure no-one got raw throat or loss of voice because of talking too much.
They took turns in talking and making sure their leader took part into the conversations. After few hours they turned the notion back into the thing that had caused it all. The pieces were brought out while making sure they weren’t in contact with each other. “There’s still some lingering magic…” The oldest Link observed as he carefully picked one piece up.
Legend and Hyrule nodded in agreement. “I think we could track it down and see who’s at the fault of all of this.” The Veteran commented firmly.
“Worth the shot.” Time replied with a firm nod. “Let’s finish this off.” He half commanded and the Chain nodded in acceptance. They picked the pieces back and watched fondly as their leader got ready to leave the room. After that, with the trio of the Traveler, Specialist and Alpha Wolf in lead, they began to search for the source of the magic.
For their confusion and slight worry, the road led them to the prisons. They informed of their reasons to be there to the guards of the place and, with rights and other one of the two guards following, headed deeper into the area. Eventually they found the right person. The Chain’s gazes hardened the moment they saw whom was at the fault. “That’s the guy whom attacked you, Time.” Four pointed out while trying to keep his voice calm.
“Oh really…” Time half whispered while taking in the guy’s outlook and demeanor. His boys certainly had given a beating to his attacker but the guy was still conscious and in not too bad condition. The one eyed male moved bit closer to the bars and tapped his fingernail couple of times against one of the bars to catch the guy’s notion. The imprisoned man frowned as he looked at the group by his prison.
“I can safely bet I can find your hideout.” The Chain’s leader told firmly with a grin. He turned his back to the guy and leaned against the bars. “I gotta say it’s pretty wise to use a contraption to get your victims off from being able to tell you out, hear you come or even see you do a damn thing. But… You know what?” He pushed himself off from leaning against the bars while knowing he had the guy’s full notion by now. He turned around and smirked. “You made a bad move by targeting one of Hyrule’s Heroes.” His expression widened at the guy’s shock. “I bet you’ve been charged with attempted murder too so you won’t be getting out any time soon.” He continued before faking like he just recalled something. “Oh, and sorry to say this but the eight Heroes here fully smashed your little creation. Your days as a robber has expired.”
The one eyed male showed to follow him as he started to head off. The prisoner scrambled to his feet and dashed to the bars. “How?!” He shouted and the Chain of nine Heroes stopped walking. Yet, their oldest brother didn’t yet turn to look at him unlike the others. “How was it destroyed? It was supposed to be indestructible.” He claimed while fully confirming of having been at the fault of the strange item’s actions.
“Let’s just say that the legendary Master Sword is far less destructible than your creation.” Time stated out with a clear grin. “Plus these eight will always find a way to take down whatever has caused harm to their family.” He explained and finally looked over his shoulder at the guy. “And I’m fortunate to have them right by me.” He turned his gaze away and stretched. “Now, if you excuse us, we have your hideout to find.”
The imprisoned burglar was left baffled into his cell as the Heroes of Hyrule from different eras and the guard of the prison left. Time nodded his thanks to the guard before leading his boys out of the place and out of sight. “Okay, Twilight, your turn. I bet you got his scent when you guys knocked the ass off of me.”
The Rancher was bit startled but he soon grinned and nodded. After that he changed forms and began to search for the right scent. The others stayed close to him to keep people from being scared of the huge wolf as they made it clear that he was with them and no harm to anyone. Once the canine caught what he needed to follow, he gave a sharp nod and began to lead his brothers to right direction.
It took a while but eventually they found the hideout. It was no trouble for the nine Links to get the place opened. After that Legend, being the fastest, returned to the town to fetch the Knights and guards so they could confiscate everything in the hideout and, hopefully, return them to their rightful owners.
As their work was done, the Chain of Hyrule’s Heroes returned to the Inn. At there, Wild took over the kitchen and made quite a feast for his brothers, especially for Time. After that they all just sat on the bed while talking and laughing. None of them actually slept during that night as they just wanted to spend some much needed time with each other while hearing both the Champion’s and Time’s voices. Their conversations, stories and all talking lasted far into the next day. They made swift restocking while actually getting everything for half priced due to having dealt with the strange flower and the robber. And, on that night, they fully made the Hero Pile of Support and Comfort over both their oldest brother and their cook.