Standard explanation: #This notation# is for telepathic communication.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Parallel Destiny: A Parallel Legend of Zelda

Part III: Skyward

Chapter Six: Forever After

Twin gateways rippled at the bottom of the Sealed Grounds, both openings to parallel Hyrules. Parallel destinies. Parallel legends, Link mused, looking down at the gates from the top of the path. I would have thought they'd need three, but apparently Princess Hilda and Ravio have their own way home, through Red's Hyrule. Mages and Charm designers milled around them, performing last-minute checks on their dimensional tuning. Marin strode through the group with a will, looking over every enchantment personally. Fledge trailed after her, and Marin slowed and smiled every time he fussed. Marin and Fledge? Link thought, immeasurably cheered by the sight. How did I miss that?

#There was this little thing called the Last Demon War,# Proxi sighed. #Gods, you only saved everyone and everything, again. Cut yourself some slack.#

#I had a little help,# Link retorted, shaking his head. #Besides, I'm not feeling guilty or anything silly like that.#

#Good,# Fi replied. The Hero glanced around, but the former spirit wasn't there. #As you were wondering, Fledge was assigned to her care and protection. Nature took its course from there.#

#On the subject of natures,# Link cut in, #how are you adjusting to yours?#

The Hero of Legend felt his oldest companion flex her new metal body. #Wonderfully,# she replied, smile radiating through the bond. #I was concerned that you'd lack the Master Sword's protection, but it seems you need only its magic now.# Her attention flickered to the hilt on his belt, its energy blade dormant. #Now if you'll excuse me, I'm still experimenting with this unfamiliar concept of 'normal.'#

Link sent back a laugh. #Farore, I'm looking forward to life getting back to what passes for normal around here.#

#Speaking of passing for normal, incoming,# Proxi pointed out. Link just then caught the Spirit Sage's approach.

"Rupee for your thoughts," Dorgan said, striding to the Hero's side.

Link grinned at the Spirit Sage's glittering ring. "Start with 'congratulations.' So did you pin Lana down, or vice versa?"

Dorgan grinned back, and Link swallowed at the satisfaction gleaming in his friend's eyes. "How much do you really want to know about our pinning process, Hero?"

"Stop," Link replied immediately. Dorgan chuckled. "Honestly, Dorgan, are you trying to catch up on three months of innuendo or something?"

"Or something," he shot back, clapping Link on the shoulder and laughing. "Okay, okay, she proposed to me." Dorgan pursed his lips, suddenly fascinated by the gateways. "Laid her spear at my feet, promised to always 'stand between me and the storm,' the whole Gerudo shebang."

"You melted, didn't you?" Link asked, smile as innocent as he could manage.

"Tell anyone, and you'll have yellow chus in your bed for a year," Dorgan whispered. Link gave him a one-armed hug, still watching the spellwrights. "And you're really into watching this, aren't you? Does Zelda know her king's the Hero of Nerd?"

"Of course she does," Link laughed. "And I'm not king yet. Neither of us has proposed." He leaned against the stone. "It's too soon. She was just crowned, there's still a ton of restoration, and Zel wants to assure all the kingdoms that stayed out of it that we're not going to look for payback." He shook his head. "As if we'd even consider such a thing."

Dorgan slapped his forehead. "After a war like the one we just fought, who'd think we'd go after more trouble? The army's still recovering, right?"

"Actually, according to Eagus and Aveil, once you count all the recruits who signed up and innovations we came up with, Hyrule's a match for the whole rest of the world put together. With Ylisse so close to us now, well, lots of nations are worried." Link sighed. "Zel will handle it. Until we can get back to exploration, my job is to stand next to her and look pretty."

"You're part Gerudo after all," Dorgan chuckled, giving the Hero a bit of a shake.

Zelda strode toward them, Impa and Luda flowing behind the High Queen. "How could he not be, with you so determined to be a bad influence?" She winked, and Dorgan grinned back. "We're almost ready." She looked down at the gates, the new queen growing somber. "It's strange. I've only known one of my Time-sisters for two months and the other for just over a week, yet I'm going to miss them both."

"To hear Marin talk," Link replied, pointing below, "in a year or two we'll be able to hop dimensions like it's riding a Charm wagon downtown."

"Goddess, I am just about ready to set a squad of nannies on that woman – is that Fledge?" Zelda peered down, a flicker of blue crystal flowing around her eyes. "When did that happen?" Link shrugged.

Dorgan looked from Hero to queen and facepalmed. "They've been dating ever since she escaped the healers' tent," he explained. "Farore, where have you two been?" Link's eyes narrowed on his friend, and Dorgan peeked out from behind his hand and gulped. "Point taken."

"I see our Spirit Sage is as sensitive and tactful as ever," Robin quipped, descending on Lucina's arm. "Are they having trouble, or is Marin fussing?"

"Marin," Dorgan, Link, and Zelda said as one. All five heroes laughed.

"Look out below!" Ravio called from above. Link, Zelda and Dorgan all turned, hands halfway to sword hilts, but they stopped and grinned at Blue Link and young Zelda racing down the path. They waved to their counterparts as they passed. The native trio turned and watched as they continued down the winding path, grinning excitedly.

"They're a couple of sweethearts," Zelda said, smile growing. "My younger Time-sister is a surprisingly peaceful sort, considering her battle skills." The queen ducked her head, hand rising to her mouth. "Though I fear I may have led her astray. She's fallen in love with Deku Mint tea, and they haven't the leaves in New Hyrule."

"Just another excuse," Red Zelda replied, smiling broadly as her fellow princess and their companions followed, "to stay in touch."

"Can't you just send some seeds with her?" Dorgan asked.

Both Zeldas blinked at him. "What if it's invasive?" they asked as one. They then turned to each other, and Red Zelda giggled. Queen Zelda merely chuckled, but Link could feel her effort in not joining her Time-sister. Ravio, meanwhile, was rubbing his chin. Someone sees a profit.

Link caught his red counterpart standing to the side, watching his friends with a smile and slumped shoulders. Ah, that feeling you have when there's no monsters to worry about. He waved his Time-brother over, and Red Link stepped aside with him. "Hey," Green said, and Red nodded back. "Listen, I just wanted to thank you for all your help, and let you know I'm ready to return the favor."

"That's great," Red Link replied, blinking, "but why? Our quests are over, aren't they?"

"Mine is," Green Link said, glancing down at the cleansed Sealed Grounds. It's going to need a new name. He folded his arms. "Your Ganon may have lost his weapon, but he's still out there. If – when he returns, you have friends who'd be happy to help."

"Zelda, the Zelda I serve, is pretty sure he's not coming back in our lifetimes," Red Link explained. "This excursion cost Ganon dearly, and he's the last. It makes sense that he'd wait until we've gone back to the Wheel, come back when we're both young."

"He never learns," Green Link sighed, and they both looked down at Blue, young Zelda chatting excitedly with him. "If you're old enough to wield a sword, you'll take him."

"Thanks." After a pause, Red Link clasped Green's hand and smiling. "And if you ever need us, we're one gate away."

"I appreciate it," Green Link said, smiling back as the Zeldas approached, "but my quest is done. Our cycle is done. We're one worry you can take off your list." They shook hands, then Red Link joined his companions, and it was nearly over.

At last, they were gathered at the base of the Grounds, standing before the two enormous oval gates. Link caught Marin explaining to Robin how she modeled the gate's after Cia's, the parallel design making the return trip simpler and more reliable. Queen Zelda walked over and took Link's hand. In that moment, they were at peace.

Then Dorgan sidled over to the Hero, eyeing Blue Link. "You know," the Gerudo whispered, "I don't think I've heard that kid say a single word."

Link and Zelda both froze. Their hands parted, both covering chuckles. "He talks!" Link protested quietly. Dorgan raised an eyebrow.

"They're both introverts, like our Hero," Zelda added. "There are people in this Hyrule who've never heard him say a word, but you've called him a blabbermouth."

"Ours made a speech they'll be quoting for a thousand years," Dorgan retorted. "Have either of you heard him?"

"All three of us got together yesterday, talked for hours," Link insisted. "You just weren't there. Tell him, Zel." Zelda rubbed her arm, grin turning sheepish. "Zel?"

"Actually, now that you mention it..." Zelda trailed off as the colored rings flowing from the twin gates' centers rippled out, to reveal Hyrules old and new. "It's time," she added, rushing over to finish their goodbyes. Link sighed, and with a few last words, hugs and yelps, their counterparts were gone. The gateways closed, and it was just their Hyrule once more. Zelda and Dorgan looked at the empty space and smiled.

Link bowed his head, and Zelda's smile faded as she took his hand again. "Link? My heart?"

"I'm okay," the Hero whispered. "As goodbyes go, this one's better than all the rest we've had to say lately. I've just had my fill."

Robin smiled. "Well, far be it from me to miss an opportunity when it presents itself." He waved, and the Shepherds' redheaded pilot and her masked boyfriend headed towards them. Severa and Gerome, Link remembered, noting that her black pegasus was trotting beside a bay. The brick-red pegasus caused a lump to form in the Hero's throat. Epona. He shook his head. We lost so many people. It's silly to grieve so much over – not even a horse. A Charm of a horse.

#You grieve as you need, Hero,# Fi replied gently. #On your own time, and you are done when you are, not before.#

"You remember Severa, our Dark Flier?" Robin asked. The Hero blinked at the title, but nodded. "Well, she's been watching the pegasus ranches for her own reasons, but something came up that had her check in with Miriel. We thought to bring it to your attention, Hero, for reasons you'll soon understand, I'm sure."

Severa clapped and waved the bay pegasus forward. When the mare walked up, a newly-foaled filly followed with an uncertain gait. The Hero locked up, the foal's silver mane and points standing out instantly. When the filly saw Link, she sniffed and walked toward him, wings flapping, the red wings fading to white, then purple and gold at the tips. "Epona?" he whispered.

At the sound of the name, the filly – Epona – nickered and nuzzled Link's hand. Sorry, I haven't needed apples in this life, he thought, still in shock. The masked dragon-rider handed the Hero one, and before Link's arm was fully extended, Epona was literally eating out of his hand.

"She foaled an hour after the battle ended," Severa explained, grinning, "and with those wings, Miriel and I didn't have to be seers to know she was unusual."

Distantly, Link noted Zelda's ear-to-ear smile. Dorgan merely gaped. "You knew?" the Gerudo asked their queen. Zelda shrugged.

The dam breaking at last, Link wrapped his arms around the filly's neck, giving her a gentle hug, and cried without shame. Another ancient memory flickered through his mind:

Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. However, that parting need not last forever... Whether a parting be forever or merely for a short time... That is up to you.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

"Auntie Zelda! Auntie Zelda!" Irene Bahdo, Dorgan and Lana's youngest, ran up to the High Queen and bounced like a chu. "Is it true? Are you going all the way past the Sky?"

High Queen Zelda Davnesi smiled, knelt before the girl, stroked her shoulder, and nodded. "That's right, sweetie. We've built a special loftwing to go all the way to outer space, beyond the Sky itself. It's going to be a challenge, but it's Hyrule's next step forward."

"Besides," Lana laughed, holding her belly as she walked in, "our favorite Hero can't be denied his next challenge, right?" Irene squealed with excitement and rushed to her mother, grabbing the Wind Sage's hand and jumping in place. "Go find your father, dear, I have some grown-up business with the queen."

"Awww," Irene whined.

"He's with the Hero," Lana added. Irene's violet eyes lit up, and she took off like a Loftwing Jet, racing out of the greeting room. Both ladies watched her go with gentle laughs. "Still earning fans 25 years later."

Zelda patted Lana's shoulder and gestured to the observation tower's balcony. "Link? He never stops. It's hard to believe so many years have passed. They feel like they've gone by in a blink." Together, they wandered outside.

Below them, a small, temporary town had sprung up outside Castle City. A long, wide strip of earth had been flattened and smoothed out with Goron Arts on the great plain dominating the western side of the province. At one end, an enormous ramp curved up until it pointed straight at the sky. On the other, the Star Loftwing – the largest ever built – sat waiting. Her Master Ore skin and skywood frame granted her unprecedented speed and resilience. Her heart was a Power Charm unlike any other, conduits the blue of Link's eyes glowing across her hull.

On the far side of the strip was a small explosion of sturdy tents. It's not a refugee camp, she reminded herself, as she had every time she caught sight of it. The brief pang set aside, she looked across the engineers, enchanters, and laborers celebrating along the paths. Vendors, set up long since, were providing the team with free snacks for the big day. Even the Ravio Mart concessions, Zelda realized.

All across the field, great pennants proclaiming the "Great Space Flight" rippled in the gentle breeze. Smaller 25th anniversary banners celebrating V-G Day hung lower between posts and tents. Veterans were treated like celebrities wherever they went, some wearing their old uniforms, others recognized by those they'd protected. We move on, Zelda thought, leaning on the railing as she watched the outpouring of joy, but never forget where we came from. One does not preclude the other.

"Dorgan should be here soon," Lana added, sitting on the railing beside the queen, "once he's gotten Irene down to a dull roar." She laughed. "He turned his last set of Darknut armor into rebar for a hospital this morning, did you know that?"

Zelda laughed again, shaking her head. "It's a good day for it. Leaving the last remnants of old pain behind, building new things." She peered over the edge, watching a riderless Epona fly past. "Looks like she's got the rest of the day off," the queen joked.

"Yeah, and the rest of the month, too," Lana added, standing. Zelda turned, realizing her old friend's smile had vanished. "Zellie, are you sure about this? I'm not talking about Aryll. She's got Fanadi and my dad and Impa and Morsego." The Wind Sage rolled her eyes. "Farore, she doesn't even need them. Aryll inherited your wisdom – too much of it, some days."

"I'm going with him," Zelda insisted. Lana scrunched her face, and the queen chuckled again. "Your latest is going to be born sour, if you keep that up." With a huff, Lana crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "I've kept the peace all these years, Lana, staying home for half of Link's trips to Skyloft and Subrosia, even one of his excursions to the Mushroom Kingdom." She gestured at the Star Loftwing. "This is our greatest chance for exploration yet. Hyrule is nearly beyond the need for royalty at all, and it has Aryll, wise Ministers, and six wonderful Sages."

"You're just buttering me up," she muttered, eyes turning back to the queen.

Zelda grinned, walked over, and hugged Lana. "I'm also buttering you up."

Lana's hand went to her belly. "You'll miss the birth," she grumped.

"I was there for the other eight!" Zelda objected. "Gods, Lana, are you raising a family or an army?"

"They're half-Gerudo. So, both." Lana smiled before remembering that she was trying to be serious. Giving up, she laughed and hugged Zelda back. "Just be careful. You're going with the Hero, so something weird is going to happen."

"Is Lana still trying to talk you out of going?" Dorgan called, striding in with Irene on his shoulders. Zelda laughed, extracting herself from Lana to hug the enormous Gerudo. "I'm guessing it didn't work." He grinned and scratched his beard.

"You're still shaving that thing if I manage," Lana shot back.

"You just conceded, love," Dorgan pointed out. Lana sighed and pulled herself up to kiss him on the cheek. "Everything's ready, boss," he continued, turning to the queen. "Site's secure."

Impa rose from Zelda's shadow. "My people are coordinating more closely than ever with Dorgan's." She glared out at the field. "If there really is a 'Cult of Ghirahim,' they'll regret showing themselves this day."

"Aveil and Luda even came out of retirement," Dorgan added, rubbing Irene's hair, "to give things a once over." His smile was proud. As it should be, Zelda decided. "They said the capitol's never been more secure.

Lana's grin was impish. "Of course! After all, who designed the greatest defense system in Castle City history–"

"Don't say it," Dorgan warned.

"–the Dorganator!" the sorceress laughed.

Irene giggled with wild glee. Dorgan placed his hand over Lana's mouth. She giggled along with her daughter. "I am never...calling it...that," he insisted.

Lana pulled Dorgan's hand down. "The Ganon cannon?" she asked, then put the Justice Minister's palm back. Irene's giggles redoubled.

"So, any word from Sir Korin?" Zelda jumped in, turning to Impa with as much dignity as the giggle fit she was resisting allowed.

"The perimeter is quite secure. He wishes you and His Majesty the best of luck on your voyage." Impa placed two fingers on her forehead and sighed. "He also asks that you, and I quote: 'Try to keep our little forest boy out of trouble.' Farore, some days I think he forgets that our oldest is the Hero." After a quick look at Dorgan and Lana, who had gone from jibes to cuddling, Impa leaned against the railing. "I hope that your trip does not extend overlong. We will miss you."

"I don't mean for it to extend at all," Zelda insisted. Impa said nothing, merely turning her fierce red eyes on the queen. "Gods, Impa, I've left Aryll to be regent, not queen." She smiled. "I wouldn't leave her alone with Kafei and Tetra for so long. Her sister in particular does love to find trouble." She turned her attention to the Star Loftwing, anticipation making her skin tingle. "Speaking of children, how are yours? I haven't heard in a while."

"Renato moves out when he graduates," Impa replied. "He wants to earn his Tear eventually, but right now he's focused on his study of the transformations you, Link, and the Sages have undergone." She glanced at her hand and concentrated, a faint golden glint beneath her skin twinkling in the sunlight. "We may be immortal."

"We don't age," Zelda pointed out. "That's not necessarily the same thing. It can't be."

"I know," Impa sighed, "you, Link, and Dorgan retain your connections to the Triforce. That is not the same as holding it." She waved a hand. "An old argument I do not wish to repeat. You've promised to use caution, which is all that matters."

"Midona's coming with me," Zelda pointed out. "So is the Hero. Even if I were princess-of-distress Zelda, which I am most certainly not any more, I will hardly be unprotected." She blinked. "How's Renato taking Midona's departure?"

"He will manage," Impa replied, her smile knowing. "Midona wants him to be a little older before she accepts his courtship. My youngest may not accept that he was the Violet Hero, but the Shadow Sage and I know better. Meanwhile, I'm thinking of getting a cat. Maybe two."

"Why not just get one now?" Zelda asked, eyebrow raised. "Your house hasn't been the same since Mia passed."

"Korin insists I was always on the verge of getting more cats, and wants a promise to get only one before we adopt. With no children in the house, I want to make sure that Mia's successor isn't lonely." Impa crossed her arms and sniffed in a very un-Impa-like manner. "Honestly, I think he's afraid I'm going to turn into one of those old cat ladies." Zelda laughed. "I know! I'm not even 80 yet."

"Mother," Aryll called from the doorway, and Impa stepped aside with a smile. Dorgan and Lana retreated. Zelda beamed at her little princess – Goddess, not little any more, she thought, her baby as tall as she was – as Aryll strode gracefully to the queen and offered a brief curtsy. "Father will be along shortly. He's having a talk with my sister about her penchant for setting off firecrackers around Phoenix Knights she doesn't like. Again." She looked down at her hands, counting off points. "Otherwise, we are almost ready, but I do have a few last-minute questions. Plegia is asking for support again, but I think they're just trying to gain an advantage over Ylisse. The Realm Charm to contact New Hyrule is, in Kafei's words, 'a little flaky.' Groose the Third would like permission to court Tetra, which I haven't the faintest idea how to respond to. She is, ostensibly, an adult, and capable of making these decisions herself."

Zelda hugged her oldest daughter, hiding her smile over the young woman's shoulder. "You're going to be fine, Aryll." The crown princess trembled in Zelda's arms. "You've already recognized the situations with the other two, and Minister Marin can tune the Realm Charm."

"I don't know, mom," Aryll whispered. "You and dad are the best – the absolute best – but you're these living gods who saved the world and have all kinds of adventures, and I'm just...me." She clutched the back of Zelda's dress, fingers tightening. "Do you really trust me to keep the whole world at peace?"

"Always," Zelda said, giving her daughter a gentle squeeze. "Forever."

Aryll pulled back, hiding a sniffle behind a politely raised hand. "Yeah. Thanks, mom."

"But dad!" Tetra wailed, and Aryll sighed. "He's a bully! He's a bully and a jerk!"

"Then, as I already said, report him to Sir Korin." Link chuckled, and Zelda lit up. "Or challenge him to a duel." Aryll sighed, turned an I told you so look on her mother, and slid aside.

"With what, a stun sword? They don't learn that way!" Princess Tetra trailed in after the King Consort, and even after all the years and with both daughters present she couldn't help reveling in the sight of him. Skin glinting with that hint of gold that left him as armored as Ghirahim had been, Zelda knew quite well that her Hero remained supple as ever. His flight suit fitted him perfectly, and as far as the queen was concerned, in all the right ways. Not quite as tight as that postman outfit I can get him to wear sometimes, Zelda thought, grin turning impish, but it will do.

"And here we go 'round the Mulberry Bush," Link sighed. "Let's try this again. Promise me you'll behave while we're gone or you're grounded for a week."

"But that's not fair," Tetra whined. Link folded his arms, and the younger princess sighed, bowing her head. "Okay, I promise."

Link smiled and gave her a hug. "That's better. Fi."

Fi emerged from Tetra's shadow, embarrassed smile clashing with her Sheikah garb. "I won't encourage her while you're gone. Master."

"Good," Link replied, "because we've given Aryll authority to ground the both of you." Tetra and Fi looked at each other, their grimaces mirror images. Meanwhile, Aryll curtsied to the king, who chuckled and gave his older daughter a quick hug of her own. She, too, retreated, and Link strode to his queen's side. "Hey," he said.

"Hey," Zelda replied, taking his hand. "Looks like we're finally getting out there. The endless frontier you've been dreaming of for so long."

Link's smile slipped. "Me? I thought–" he began, stopping when Zelda raised her hand.

"I want to explore too," Zelda explained, "but where we go doesn't matter as much to me. What matters is that we learn new things, and that we do it together. The great void of stars is where you want to go, so this time, I follow you." Link exhaled and nodded. Zelda held out an arm, smile returning. "Shall we?" Link took the offered arm, and they headed for the door.

Prince Kafei came running in, Anju – Dorgan and Lana's eldest daughter – chasing after him with a Sailcloth. Zelda realized why immediately, as wisps of smoke still trailed from Kafei's hair. "M-made it!" he gasped, stopping to lean on his knees, while Anju smothered his hair with her Sailcloth. "I'm fine, Anju."

"Yes, now that I've put you out," Anju grumped, pocketing the cloth in fairy space and putting fists on her hips. "Goddess, Kafei, one of these days you're going to blow yourself up with–" She froze, eyes sliding to the High Queen and King. The young lady gasped and dropped into a deep curtsy. "Your Majesties," she whispered.

Link's hand clamped firmly on his mouth, shaking a bit from the effort not to laugh. Zelda, meanwhile, had finally managed to not start misting up at the sight of them. Anju and Kafei, reborn. May you remain together forever, this time. Kafei gestured for the young sorceress to stand. "It's fine, Anju. You're not the one they're going to yell at," he sighed.

"And why should I yell at you, young man?" Zelda asked, hands folded. Link's hand was still pressed against his mouth. "Were you experimenting behind Morsego's back again?"

"No ma'am!" Kafei blurted, straightening. "You can ask him yourself, we worked this one out together." His concern melted on the spot, and Anju sighed, hands returning to her hips. "I was running a few last-minute models of the Star Loftwing's performance. It's absolutely fascinating how the Fire and Shadow enchantments work together to create propulsion and warp space. Sheikah have been using those principles for millennia, but to see them used in such well-prepared concert has astonishing implications."

"Kafei, point," Zelda prodded, smile returning.

Their young prince's head lowered a fraction, and he twiddled his fingers. "Some of the earlier Star Loftwings were unstable. I just wanted to be sure you'll be safe." Anju's stern gaze melted, and her smile reminded Zelda of the Hero's.

Link walked over and dropped a reassuring hand on the wizard's shoulder. "The Legend of Hyrule has spent a year in testing. Over a dozen master wizards have run those same models, including Morsego, Lana, and Dorgan. We'll be fine, son." Kafei looked back up and nodded, smiling. Anju took his hand.

She's got the right idea, Zelda thought, taking her Hero's. "Come on, love. We have a happily ever after to get back to." Link nodded, and together, they strode toward the Legend to meet their destiny.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Epilogue

Samus Aran watched her monitor screen warily, occasionally running through different filters. All the readouts agreed. Yep. There definitely used to be a temporal anomaly around this system. Looks like the whole thing came from the second planet. Her gunship held position outside the system, per First Contact protocols. Fingers drummed on her console, and her attention turned to the starship flying towards them. Hard to say when it stopped by our calendar. Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey.

"Still worried?" X asked, walking over with a cup of coffee. Samus accepted it gratefully, taking the moment to enjoy the sight of her partner without his armor. Thomas Light did good work, she decided, not for the first time. X either didn't notice or didn't mention, as ever. "It doesn't seem like that much of an issue, really. How many weird anomalies have we seen in our lives?"

"Our lives are weird anomalies," Samus retorted, taking a sip, "and how many of those oddities have tried to kill us?" She put the mug next to her helmet, forming and dismissing her arm cannon. "This time shift region's been here since recorded history. Chozo history. I'm not taking any chances." X smiled, kissed her on the cheek, and headed aft. Samus was grateful for that, sparing her letting him see her blush. I can't even put on my helmet. He brought me coffee.

A light appeared on her console. "X, we're getting a transmission from the ship, full spectrum, all directions," she called over. "Start the translator?"

"Done," X replied, returning in his iconic blue armor. "What have we got?"

"They're closing. Zooming in." She played with the imaging systems briefly. "A shoebill?" Samus blinked at the feed, then tried to correct the image. It didn't change. "Who builds a starship that looks like a giant red shoebill?"

X put a hand on her shoulder. Oh, he's being extra gentle, she thought. How bad is it? "Sam," he whispered, "I don't want to get your hopes up, but I can think of a race that might."

The Hunter laughed, and X relaxed. "Xavier, honey, I know Chozo ships. That is categorically not a Chozo ship." The translator beeped. "Can you get that? I want to ready our defenses, just in case."

"You're the captain," X noted with a smile. Samus sighed while the reploid worked the translator. And there goes my coffee, she thought, donning her helmet. Her Varia Suit interfaced with the gunship, systems obeying her will.

"Translator's having a little trouble," X reported. "No matches in the Federation database, though it appears to resemble a few Earth languages. Expanding search." Samus nodded, pivoting her ship to be ready for combat, but avoiding activating her cannons or pointing them at the vessel. Let's not create an incident if we don't need to, she thought. All-directions broadcast like that implies exploration ship with peaceful intent. X paused, turning to her with wide eyes. "I have a match," he breathed. "From your personal database. Hylian."

Samus whirled her chair around, standing. "What!" she exclaimed, running to Xavier's console. Script she hadn't seen in over ten years scrolled past. A message of peace and hope, she realized, fingers running half in disbelief over the lines as they appeared. Ganon would never send something like this. He couldn't. Could he? "Guns offline!" she shouted to the computer. "Bring us about, docking protocols online!"

This is impossible! Samus thought wildly, returning to her station, still standing as she punched in directives. The gunship obeyed with a loyalty that almost seemed like life. I've met four different Heroes from different times and universes! The Hunter froze, eyes returning to the scanner. Time anomalies. Were they in this reality all along? Did they exist in a pocket Realm until now? She shook her head. Doesn't matter. It's here, now. The shoebill slowed as her gunship moved into place. The giant mechanical bird opened its beak, a circular tube extending from it. The port at the end reconfigured itself to match her airlock. "Sam?" X asked.

"Just be ready," she replied. X nodded, relaxed, but his X-Buster active. Samus left her cannon inactive, but kept her armor on. Their docking system met hers, and the airlock cycled. Samus tensed.

The airlock opened, and an androgynous figure in a strange green flight suit entered, a long strip of blue cloth trailing from his helmet. It ended in the Royal Crest of Hyrule. Beneath her helmet, Samus knew she was staring, grateful for the armor hiding her expression. "Samus?" the figure whispered, and in that instant, the Hunter knew.

Link took off the helmet anyway. His hair was a touch darker, there was a scar under one eye, and he looked a bit older than any Hero she'd known, but that face was unmistakable. She took off her helmet in kind, and then he smiled, and she knew. "Armor off," she ordered, and the Varia Suit opened. Before he could say another word, she swept him up in a hug that lifted the Hero off her deck, feet dangling. "I missed you, you crazy elf!"

"Hylian," Zelda corrected behind him. Samus put Link down, and the Hero rubbed the back of his neck in his familiar way while X walked over and reintroduced himself. The princess of Hyrule – no, queen now, Samus realized, noting the symbol on Zelda's collar – was wearing blue and gold armor, accented in hints of pink. Her smile was as welcome as his. "You always call us that, don't you, old friend?"

Samus leaped to Zelda and hugged her in turn, spinning her around before letting her go. "Woo! What are you doing here?"

"Exploring," Zelda said, her voice dry as a Gerudo desert as she looked at the Hero of Time. Light. Whatever, Samus mused. "Just don't call it adventuring. Link doesn't do that any more."

"I don't," Link insisted, he and X finishing a handshake. "We're finally free, Sam. Free of Ganon, of the cycle, of the curse of Time replayed."

Samus' eyes went wide. "Seriously?" Chozo training brought her mind around to analysis. "That must be why the time anomaly vanished." Zelda nodded, and Samus was certain of it then. "Great Maker, Link, there's going to be a line to meet you. We've got Team Starfox and Captain Falcon in our universe alone."

Link lit up. "Really? They're here?" Then his head dropped. "I guess you've already got your space Realm mapped, then." Zelda chuckled and took his hand.

Samus couldn't help a smile as she pulled up a galactic map. "See this? It's our galaxy. This," she explained, outlining the Galactic Federation and the outlaw regions around it, "is colonized space. It's ten percent of the known galaxy."

At that, Zelda laughed, hugging Link. "So, in short, there's more stars than we can imagine out there waiting to be found, and a whole host of friends to find them with." She grinned at the speechless Hero. "Is it what you dreamed of, my heart?" Link nodded wordlessly, wrapping one arm around Zelda while he stared at the map, stunned.

Reunited. Ridley driven to the edge of space, Sigma and Ganon dead for good and all, and a whole universe to explore. Samus smiled at the queen and her Hero, still trying to take in the magnitude of the possibilities ahead. I can't imagine a better happily ever after, for any of us.

Fin

The Legend of Zelda is © Nintendo