A/N: Hey, hey, hey! Here's just a bit of background for how this fic differs from the Skyward game. For the sake of this story, things are bigger. So, the Sky is bigger, the Academy is bigger (there aren't just 5 or 6 students and dorm rooms), and there are more people on Skyloft.

It was hard to figure things in a totally linear story, so this is going to be done in moments of time leading up to the game events. So, this first chapter is a moment from when Link was 7 and the next chapter or two will be him when he's 10, then he'll be 11 for a chapter or two, etc. I figured that's probably the best way to not get stuck in a long stretch of time where people are doing nothing because they're limited to Skyloft and the Sky. I have a feeling that, as they get older, I'll keep them at that age for more chapters because I'm just not as familiar with writing tweens. That said, I have no idea what a 7 year old sounds like, so please excuse the possibly inaccurate age portrayal of a 7 year old in this prologue.

But anyway, on to the normal stuff. Rated T for violence. Can't see it being that bad, but I'd rather cover myself early just in case. This chapter is shorter than my average chapter size, but it's a prologue. And once upon a time, I was able to post once a week. I don't think I can keep that schedule up at this point, but I'm guessing I'll post a new chapter every two weeks? I have the first few done now, but after that, it'll probably be two weeks between posts.

I think that's all I've got to say! Let me know what you think in the comments (cough cough hint hint)!

Prologue (Age 7)

It was unnaturally warm for a day in Skyloft. Villagers went home early from their daily tasks, only staying until the uncovered rays of the sun forced them to retreat. Knights patrolled the sky with vigor, relying on the rush of wind in their faces to keep them cool. Of course, the children didn't care. They played in the water, splashing around until the droplets formed a rainbow.

There was a knock on the door, soft at first, and then firm. All alone, a young boy, no more than seven, stared at the wood that kept him safe. He'd always been told not to open the door, not for anyone unless his mother was with him. But the banging became insistent and never-ending. Finally, he trudged over and opened it a crack.

A tall man, large and intimidating, bent down in front of him.

"Link, is it?"

Link nodded, though all he wanted was to close the door on this man's face. He wasn't supposed to open the door.

Or was that only at night?

"Do you know who I am?"

Link shook his head. He looked familiar, but he didn't know him. It wasn't as if Link was the most sociable child anyway.

"My name is Gaepora. I'm one of the instructors at the Knight's Academy. Do you know, I have a daughter about your age? Her name is Zelda. Do you want to come meet her?"

Link stood in the doorway for some time before shaking his head no. "Momma said wait here."

Gaepora sighed and held out his hand for Link to take, but he didn't. He folded his hand under his arm and tried to put on his kindest face. "Link… you have to come with me. Your mother… something happened to her and… she can't come home. Link… she passed on."

Link's face scrunched up as he listened. Gaepora watched him carefully, waiting for him to cry, to scream, to fight, anything. But Link scratched his head. "She's hurt?"

"She got hurt, yes. She… she won't be coming back home because of it."

Link turned around and looked at their beds before turning back to Gaepora. "My mom doesn't like when I answer the door. I want to go play." He immediately shut the door in Gaepora's face with a thud.

Gaepora turned the handle before Link could lock the door again. "No, Link, wait. You… wait!"

Link was already on the ground, playing with a wooden Loftwing, waving it through the sky with a whooshing noise.

Kneeling down on one knee, he gently took Link's little hand in his. "You'd think I'd be better at this. I had to tell my own daughter the same thing. But it never gets easy. Link… your mother is… gone. You have to come with me to the academy. I have a room where you can stay, but you can't stay here by yourself."

"I don't want to go," Link said warily. "I want to wait here for my mom."

Gaepora sighed heavily and let himself fall to the ground beside Link. "This is difficult to understand, I know… but you can't stay here. She won't be back. She's… she died, Link."

Link's wide eyes narrowed into angry slits and he threw the Loftwing against the wall. A small piece of the tail broke off and flew across the floor. "I want to see her. I want to see her!"

"You can't see her, son, she's gone."

"I'm not your son!" Link yelled as he ran out the door.

He skidded to a halt as he took in his surroundings. Most of the Academy staff stood around, watching him with sad looks in their eyes. And in that moment, he realized the truth… she wasn't coming home.

There was a knock on the door. Ever since that day, nearly a week ago, Link dreaded the sound of knocking. Yet everyday, someone was banging their fists on his door. It was worse than the sound of a raspy voice that was in the middle of a painful cold. Worse than the sound he'd been hearing of chalk scraping against the board in the room the knights were studying in.

"Link? Are you awake?" Gaepora called through the wood. "It's a beautiful day, and I think you should get out of your room."

Link sighed, knowing that he wouldn't stop until he'd acknowledged his presence. He opened the door and went to sit back down on the bed where he continued to silently play with his Loftwing.

"Link, come. Let's find something fun to do."

Link sat there, trying his best to ignore the instructor. But his presence was domineering, and his wide eyes bored into Link with ease.

Sighing, Link slid into his boots. He'd already changed his clothes, a habit he'd picked up on at home. Wherever that was nowadays.

Begrudgingly, he grabbed his Loftwing and followed the instructor outside into the courtyard.

"I have classes to teach today, Link, but I'll come back in a bit to check on you. Try to enjoy the air, and stay away from the edges of Skyloft."

Link heard the door close behind him, though he refused to look back. Gaepora was nice, but Link only wanted one person. And she was never coming back.

It only took a few minutes for Link to find himself wandering away from the Academy and down the steps into the rest of the village. His feet took him to his home, locked though it was, it was a comfort to sit on the steps of a familiar doorway, and he swung his Loftwing though the sky, like nothing had ever happened.

But a shadow passed over his face, and suddenly, a young girl was standing in front of him. "My name is Zelda. My dad is Instructor Gaepora. He told me you're living at the academy now, but I haven't seen you until now. Where have you been?"

Link just stared at her, unsure how to answer. He couldn't find the words to answer. He couldn't find words at all these days.

Zelda looked around and crossed her arms. "I live at the academy, too. I know how much more fun it is to play out here, but my dad won't like you leaving the Academy without telling him first. You're new, but he's very protective."

Again, Link stared at her, speechless. Instead, he bent down and grabbed his wooden Loftwing from the grass.

He could feel his breathing speed up and his breath hitched. Staring at the bird, his vision turned crimson, and the bird with it. His muscles twitched and he didn't realize they'd begun to work on their own. He wasn't in control. He never could be.

Gathering all his strength, he threw the Loftwing across the sky, letting it land anywhere but in his hands. He couldn't see that thing. That thing that killed his mother. She was gone forever because of a bird.

"Whoa!" Zelda said, backing away as he threw.

Link slammed his head back against the door and felt tears stream down his face. He tried not to sob out loud, but the muscles in his face betrayed him.

Hesitantly, Zelda sat down beside him. "I lost my mom, too. Not the same way, but she died when I was a baby."

Link glared at her through blurred eyes.

Zelda didn't flinch. "Well, I'm here if you want someone to play with. I like tag a lot. Come find me anytime, and let my dad know you're okay or he'll stay worried."

She got up and all but skipped away. He watched her go, unable to speak, and certainly not able to mutter 'thank you.'