A/N: Hey guys! Long time no see! Sorry for the wait, I hope the chapter is worth it! See the notes at the end for more of my rambling.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, nor any of it's locations, characters, storylines or dialogue. I merely write about it.

Sky Child
Chapter 21
Propeller's and Robots

"Master, though the progression of our mission is important, it is inadvisable to continue without your tunic," chimed Fi.

Link glanced up from his place on the floor, where he was struggling to attach his bandolier and pouches one-handed. "It's alright Fi, we're just going around Skyloft. It's not dangerous during the day."

Fi did not respond, but Link got the distinct impression that she still heavily disapproved of his old, flimsy shirt and worn, too-big boots. "Your chance of injury increases by another 47% without the protection your thicker clothing offered. This statistic applies to all areas in my database."

Link shook his head. "Fi, my left arm is currently tied to my chest, and even if it wasn't, Owlan says it won't be much use." Link tugged on the bandolier straps, trying to get them to sit correctly over the awkward bulge that his left arm made. "I really don't think that not having a tunic could make my 'chances of injury' much worse at this point." Link fought to tighten the belts one handed. "Besides," he grunted, "Karane has all my new stuff, and I don't want to go bother her and Pipit right now."

"You have said they are friends. My data stores show that one who is classified as a 'friend' should be willing to aid you," continued Fi.

Link just shook his head and grinned. "It's not happening, Fi. Because as their friend, I think they need to be alone for awhile."

Fi's blank eyes watched him as he stood up and gave his belt one last adjustment. "See? I'm all good to go," Link said with a smile.

After a moment, Fi nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Master," she said. She disappeared back into the Goddess blade, and Link imagined that her usual bell sounds were slightly diminished.

"It'll be fine, Fi," Link insisted, knowing she could hear. He didn't get a response, but he hadn't expected one. He headed into the hall and out of the lower doors. Outside, the sun was warm and fresh, and the smell of summer was heavy in the air. With a jolt, he realized his birthday was just a few weeks away. 'I wonder if I'll even be alive for it,' he thought morbidly, then shook himself. 'Come on, don't think like that. Positive thoughts.'

Link headed down the familiar path, listening to the bugs buzz lazily through the air. That was the only sound, however. Gully was nowhere to be seen, and the Bazaar, usually loud enough to be heard from the Sword Hall, was eerily quiet. Link glanced around the deserted place morosely. Fledge really hadn't been kidding; Skyloft seemed completely deserted. Link looked out over the western edge, watching the guards swoop through the distant sky on their Loftwings. Occasionally, one would veer off to take care of an Octorok before falling back into the familiar patrol patterns. To think, if that black cyclone had never appeared, Link would be out there with them. Fly on his crimson Loftwing, enjoying the breeze, looking forward to a good meal and a warm bed. He gave a wistful sigh. If only his life could be that easy.

The windmill came quickly into sight. It was still, the thick tarp of its vanes fluttering in the breeze. The white stone of its body was weather-worn, and moss had begun to crawl its way steadily up the sides, but it seemed as sturdy as ever. Though he had never seen it function, even on the windiest days, every gear and spindle looked operational. Link marveled at it. 'This thing is as old as the Goddess Statue?' Link thought, 'I never realized.' It made him wonder just how much of Skyloft was unknown to him.

Link briefly considered calling out Fi for some advice, but the discovery of an obviously placed propeller made that unnecessary. Link poked it with his finger, expecting the folded paper wings to yield under his touch. Instead, however, Link's finger met cool, solid metal. Link smiled a bit in wonder. The metal hadn't rusted at all. Amazing.

"Master." Fi appeared next to Link. "We will need to use this propeller to rotate the windmill," she stated.

Link chuckled a little bit. "Yeah, that's for sure. We should probably use the –"

'The Gust Bellows we acquired in the Lanayru Mining Facility will serve our needs," interrupted Fi.

Link sighed. "Yeah, I know, but–"

"Unfortunately, due to your current condition and lack of my recommended preparation, you are unable to use the Gust Bellows," Fi remarked.

"I know, Fi," Link said. "I'll just–"

"Link?"

Fi flew back into the Goddess Blade with a quick jingle, and Link turned to see Fledge jogging down the path. The small boy slowed to a stop a few feet away, and Link smiled to see that the run, which once would have left his friend breathless, now seemed effortless. If Fledge saw Link's grin, he said nothing. Instead, he glanced Link up and down, his eyes resting on the ill-fitting bandolier and bandages. "What are you doing now?" he asked with trepidation. "You're not leaving, are you?"

Link's smile widened. "No, not yet. I have to do some things here first." He glanced back at the windmill, his eyes tracing its thin form. An idea suddenly struck him and he turned back to his friend. "Hey Fledge, do you think you could help?"

Fledge's jaw dropped. "Wha… What?" he said after a pause.

Link blinked, taken a bit aback by his friend's reaction. He quickly backtracked. "Well, um, it's fine if you don't want to, it's just… With my arm, I can't—"

"No no, it's not that!" cried Fledge, recovering himself. "I was just surprised, is all. I—I didn't think you really needed our help," he said hastily. He blushed. "I mean, not to make it seem like you thought you were too good for us or something! Because I know you don't, but it's just… oh… I don't know." Fledge kicked the ground, his face bright red.

Link suppressed a laugh and smiled. "It's alright Fledge, I know what you mean."

Fledge glanced up a little shyly. "So, do you still want my help even though I'm the most embarrassing person ever?"

Link really did laugh then. "I would really like it, if you don't mind. And you aren't the most embarrassing person ever. Besides, you have to be a huge muscle-head with a pompadour to even qualify for that position."

Fledge grinned and moved to Link's side, both friends turning to the windmill. "So," said Fledge, "What are we trying to do?"

"I have to get this windmill to turn," explained Link. "The key is that little propeller there. I have something to make enough wind, but I need two hands to use it, and, well…" Link gestured helplessly to his left arm.

Fledge nodded. "Alright, I can do that. What are we using?"

"Let me get it." A little awkwardly, Link opened his Adventure Pouch and dug around for the Gust Bellows. He got a good hold on its nozzle and hauled it out, much to Fledge's amazement.

"Wow," he breathed. "What is that thing?"

Link handed it to Fledge, who held it gingerly with wide eyes. "It's called the gust bellows. I found it on the Surface." Link made sure his Adventure Pouch was tightly closed before moving to position the device in Fledge's arms. "If you hold it like this…" Link maneuvered it so that it sat comfortably under his friend's left arm. "And the aim with this…" He positioned Fledge's right hand securely on the nozzle. "And then squeeze…" He pushed down on the bellows, and a large jet of cool air came spiraling out. "Then that happens."

Fledge gasped. "Oh Goddess," he breathed. His wide eyes traced the path of the cool air as it dispersed into the surroundings. "That's amazing."

Link, too, watched the magic wind twirl before fading away with the breeze. He smiled a little. "Yeah," he agreed. "It is."

After a moment, Fledge shook himself, and the temporary spell was broken. "So, I just aim this at the pinwheel?" he asked, hefting the Wind Bellow's a little higher in his grip.

"That should be it," confirmed Link. He looked at the little pinwheel again, remembering the feel of the solid, cool metal. "At least, I hope it is," he amended.

Fledge nodded determinedly and took a few steps closer. He squared his stance and braced himself, completely focused on the task in front of him. Link couldn't help but stare. Fledge was stronger and more confident then he had ever seen him. He had grown, and changed, sometime in the weeks Link had been gone. With everything falling apart around Link's ears, there Fledge stood, becoming stronger for it. And it gave Link just a little bit more courage to go on.

With a bit of a grunt, Fledge squeezed the bellows hard, and a large gust of powerful wind came spiraling out. It engulfed the propeller, and within seconds the gale had it spinning too fast to see. With a great jerk, the windmill moved. It twisted on its base, stone grinding on stone as it turned to the left. With a shudder, it stopped, snapping in to its new place facing the plaza.

Fledge stopped squeezing and let the air trickle off. He was panting a little, but his eyes were bright and his smile large. He turned to Link with an excited grin. "It worked! I did it! It moved!"

Link found himself just as giddy as his friend. "It moved! You did it!" he laughed, nodding. He ran forward and gave him an awkward, one arm-embrace. The nozzle of the Gust Bellows dug into Link's side, but he didn't really care. He was too happy at the moment.

Fledge drew back and adjusted his grip on the bellows. "Come on," he said excitedly. "Let's go do the next one."

"Alright," Link said. "Lead the way!"

There was no propeller.

Fledge still hadn't picked up his jaw. He was staring at the empty peg in disbelief. But Link couldn't find it in himself to be surprised. This was just his luck.

"I... I don't understand," mumbled Fledge. "Why wouldn't it be here? If you need to do this, why wouldn't it be here?"

Link snorted bitterly. "I asked myself the same thing the first three times something like this happened." He kicked a nearby rock, watching it fall of the edge. "Then I just started expecting it."

Link saw Fledge looking at him out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't meet his gaze. He knew there would be pity there, and he didn't want to see it. Fledge drew a breath to say something, but the sound of approaching boots cut him off.

"Link?" called a familiar voice. "Is that you?"

Link turned to see Jakamar walking over. The man didn't look good. His clothes were rumpled, as though they hadn't been changed in a few days. His hair was a mess and it didn't look like he'd been sleeping. Link felt a pang of regret when he remembered what Fledge had said about little Kukiel. He imagined that Jakamar had been probably been searching for days, and one glance at his haggard eyes told of what little success he'd had. Link knew those feelings all too well.

When Link met Jakamar's eyes, he saw that Jakamar had come to a similar conclusion. The man gave a tired smile. "Hey bud. Guess we're in the same boat, huh?"

Link just nodded. He had no words.

Jakamar seemed to understand, and his gaze moved to the windmill behind them. "What are you two doing?" he asked.

Link could feel both Jakamar's and Fledge's eyes on him. He sighed and kicked the dirt, not really wanting to explain all of a sudden.

When they realized Link wasn't going to explain, Fledge jumped in. "We have to turn these windmills. We were used this," he shifted the Gust Bellows, "On the little pinwheel we found on the one by the Bazaar, but this one doesn't have one. And I don't think there's another way to move it… Is there?" he asked hopefully.

Jakamar shook his head. "None that I know of. I know the thing you're talking about, though. It's a propeller, not a pinwheel. I didn't think it did anything, though."

"Do you think we could make another?" Fledge suggested, turning to Link. "We could go see Gondo and—"

"Gondo won't be able to replicate that thing," interrupted Jakamar. "I used to try and fiddle with it, see if I could get it to do anything. I don't even think we have metal like that anywhere above the clouds."

Link glanced up. "You used to fiddle with it?" he asked quietly.

If Jakamar was surprised by Link's sudden question, he didn't show it. "Yeah. Kukiel thought it was pretty as a baby." His eyes got a faraway look to them. "I thought that maybe… maybe I could make one for her crib…" Jakamar chewed his lip and shook himself. He kept his eyes to the ground as he continued. "Anyways, I came up here one day and it was gone, no sign of it anywhere. I thought it must have somehow come loose and fallen over the edge."

Fi didn't come out of her sword, but Link was suddenly very aware of her presence. With a familiar sense of dread and exhaustion, he examined his boots. They were worn and ill fitting, pilfered from the Sword Hall when Link caught on to his friend's game of hiding clothes to slow him down. He wondered dismally whether they would hold up on the Surface, because that was probably where he was headed. A scavenger hunt through dangerous lands, probably having to alternate between dowsing and fighting, which would be even harder without a spare hand to touch the tip of his sword.

"I'll have to go look for it," he mumbled. With a sigh, he turned to Fledge and reached for the Gust Bellows.

Fledge jerked the device out of his reach, panic in his eyes. "What? No! Link, you can't go to the Surface again until your arm is healed a little more!" he argued. "Besides, even if you did find the pinwheel—propeller, whatever—we don't know how to reattach it!"

"I could fix it, easy," interrupted Jakamar. Fledge shot him a look over Link's shoulder.

"Fledge, I have to go get it. It's alright, I'll be fine." Link flipped open his pouch and grabbed the Gust Bellows. He slid them inside as he turned to leave. "I have my sword, that's all I'll need."

Link began to walk down the path, but Jakamar's hand stopped him. "You're not going to be able to carry that thing, Link. Not even with two arms."

Link just shook his head. "I have to try. What else am I supposed to do?"

Jakamar thought for a moment. "Well… Maybe talk to Gondo. He has some weird contraption his grandfather gave him. He should be in his shop. He hasn't left it since we buried Greba."

Link nodded, wincing slightly. He remembered Greba. She had always yelled at him and Zelda for setting up tight ropes and things around her house. But for all her shouting, she liked to sit outside and watch them play. She gave them cookies every now and then. Fledge had said she died, and Link hadn't even gone to visit her grave. He pulled away from Jakamar and made to leave. "Thanks," he said. "I hope… I hope Kukiel is okay."

He didn't see Jakamar's face, but Link could hear the tightness in his voice. "Me too, Link. Me too."

Fledge went back to the academy to get Link's gear from Karane. When Link asked if they would be ready, Fledge blushed. "They've been ready for a while, actually," he'd explained with embarrassment. "We just didn't want to tell you."

Link had let it go. He understood the urge to protect his friends. If any one of them had wanted to rush to the Surface, he would have tried to stop them in any way he could, too.

The Bazaar was deserted. The fortuneteller stall was gone, leaving only some tarot cards and dust in its wake. The tables were empty, and the little bar shop was closed. Croo was probably sitting at his home, waiting for his son to come off-duty every night. Down the way, Link could see Rupin's empty stall, completely cleaned out. Peatrice's Item Check was gone too. The only noise in the place came from the bubbling of potion caldrons from Bertie's and the sound of a hammer in Gondo's scrap shop.

Link approached the counter. Gondo was in the back at his worktable, hammering flat some piece of dark metal. Whereas he would usually whistle a tune, he was silent. Even at the shop, where Greba had never set foot, Link could feel the weight of her loss. "Gondo?" he called out softly.

The man stopped hammering. He turned slowly and lifted the protective mask from his face, eyes settling upon Link. His eyes raked him up and down, taking in the burn scars on his head and the awkward bulge of his arm. "Hey, kid," he said with a small, forced smile. "I didn't know you were back."

Link shuffled his feet a bit. "I'm not. I'm leaving again soon," he said quietly.

Gondo nodded and set down his hammer, walking forward to lean on his front counter. "I figured as much. So, what brings you to my shop? You need some repairs or something?"

Link shook his head. "No, but I need a favor."

Gondo smiled a bit more. "Shoot," he said.

"Jakamar said that your grandpa gave you an old, um, 'contraption,' and I think I could use it." Link glanced around the shop, searching each pile of metal for something that looked functional in retrieving heavy items.

Gondo blinked, a bit surprised. "Uh, yeah, hold on." He moved into the back of his shop and lifted up a pile of what looked like rock and sand. Careful not to drop or jostle it, he placed it carefully down on the front counter. "Here it is," he said. "Gramps used to say it was a 'robot,' whatever that is. I call it Scrapper."

Link was more than a little surprised to see that 'Scrapper' was the ruins of one of the robots from the Lanayru Desert. It looked just like the piles he'd find outside of the time bubbles. Which meant two things: one, it would definitely be able to lift and transport the propeller. And two, it was probably broken beyond repair, like the rest of the little creatures he'd found in present time.

"It's broken," Link sighed. He rubbed some sand dust off of its worn face.

"Not broken," Gondo said, gingerly moving the large, rusty hands to the side. "More like, out of gas. See?" Gondo propped it up, and Link saw that, although faded and worn, it was definitely still in one piece. Or, counting the hand-which Link knew did not attach-three pieces.

Gondo fiddled with the headpiece. "Or at least, that's what I think. I've tried everything with this little guy." He chuckled. "I'd stay up so late tinkering with this thing, Ma would—" he cut himself off. "Well, anyway, I can't find a fuel that works. Gramps said it had something to do with a flower, but I've tried every flower I can find above the clouds, and nothing does the trick."

Something tickled Link's memory. "Wait, I might have something…" Link unhooked his Adventure Pouch and set it on the counter. He plunged his arm inside, looking for something. He smiled when he felt his fingertips brush up against soft petals. Link pulled out one of the beautiful, vibrant pink flowers he had seen growing in the desert time bubbles. "Here," he handed the slightly rumpled bloom to Gondo. "It's from the Surface."

Gondo raised an eyebrow as Link re-attached his pouch to his bandolier. "You just happened to be carrying around this flower?"

Link looked down, the tips of his ears turning red. "I… I thought Zelda might like it."

Gondo chuckled before examining the flower more closely. "Y'know, I think this might work. I can feel some oil coming off it, let's give it a shot." He picked up a screwdriver and a funnel and quickly set to work on the little robot. Faster than Link could believe, Gondo was squeezing the flower's juice into a little hole in the robot's side. Immediately, they began to hear a buzz.

Link grinned as Gondo stepped back, a look of shook upon his face. The little robot began to buzz and beep in earnest. It jerked and popped, bits of dust falling off it as it began to hover in the air. The blue energy Link knew well crackled to life, suspending the large hands up with the rest of the robot. A new feature revealed itself as well. Out of the strange headpiece sprouted a large propeller. With it, the robot flew even higher into the air. It began to spin and fly all around the empty Bazaar, chirping happily.

"Thank you, BZZRT!" it cried. "I've got a full tank of energy, and I'm ready to carry anything, zzzzt!"

Gondo's jaw was on the floor. "I… you… it works…" he breathed. With a laugh and huge grin, he threw his fists into the air. "It works!" he shouted. The little robot zipped over to hover around the man. "Look at you, Scrapper, you really work." Link could see tears forming in Gondo's eyes. "Gramps would be happy. Ma would be too."

The little robot bobbed up and down. "Thank you for taking good care of me! Now I can return to my duties, zzzzrp!"

Gondo couldn't stop grinning. "That's right, little guy. I've got a job for you right now, actually."

Scrapper flew in a tight circle. "Give me a job, bzzz! I aim to please!"

"See that guy over there?" Gondo gestured towards Link, who gave a small wave. "He needs you to help him carry something."

Immediately, Scrapper lost all his bouncy energy. "Huh? Who is this miss-shaped individual of small stature?"

Gondo looked a little sheepishly at Link, his eye's resting on the bulge of his ruined arm. "This is Link. He gave me the materials I needed to fix you," he explained.

"…Are you sure it was him, gzzrt?" it asked.

Gondo blinked. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"…Well then, I extend my reluctant thanks to you in a gesture of obligatory gratitude, vrrrrrt-CHONK," it said sulkily.

Gondo glanced at Link. "Sorry about this kid, I didn't know he'd be rude." He gave Scrapper a stern look. "Now listen up. You're gonna help Link out, alright? He gave me the oil you needed, so you owe him one."

Scrapper glared. "This individual may have restored my operations, but I am not inclined to offer assistance, zrrt. Serving children is very low on my task priority, dzzt!"

Before Gondo or Link could respond, Fi flew out of the blade with a twinkle. Link heard Gondo choke and trip over something, but was too distracted by the fact that Fi had revealed herself to turn to look.

"Master Link, materials from the windmill have yielded a signal that you may search for with your dowsing ability," explained Fi. "We can now more efficiently locate the propeller."

Link just nodded distractedly as Gondo pulled himself up from the floor. "Wha-What is that thing?" he exclaimed.

Scrapper's energy seemed to return in a rush, as he immediately began to float around Fi. "Who are you?! ZRRPT-FOOSH!"

Fi ignored the seemingly love-struck robot, turning to stare at Gondo instead. "I am a creation of the Goddess. I reside in the Goddess Blade, and my vocal desgination is Fi. My duties are to guide the Chosen Hero to his destiny."

Gondo's eyes were misty with wonder. "Woah…" he gasped.

"Your name is Fi? Dzzt! Should I call you Mistress Fi? Are you looking for something, Mistress Fi?" Scrapper was nearly shouting with excitement, and flew straight into Fi's field of vision, bobbing up and down.

Fi finally took notice of him. "My master is in need of your assistance," she said coolly. "I would be appreciative of your cooperation in our mission."

"I understand, zrrt!" nodded the dusty old robot. "At your request, I'll carry anything to any destination, no matter the weight, bzzzt! I'll wait outside!" The eager little robot zoomed happily out of the Bazaar, leaving Link and Gondo scrambling to catch up to the situation.

Fi watched the little robot go impassively, and to Link's amusement, he could have sworn he saw some distaste in her expression. Abruptly, she turned to him. "Master Link, it would seem we now have all the necessary means to continue. I suggest we retrieve your equipment and resume our search." Without another word, Fi returned to the blade, leaving the Bazaar near silence once more.

Link tried to recover his thoughts and turned to look at Gondo, who was staring at him with his jaw open. Link felt his cheeks heat up. "Sorry about that…" he muttered. "Fi's pretty tactless sometimes."

Gondo finally managed to close his mouth. He seemed to be searching for something to say. "It's alright," he choked out. "I'm just surprised, that's all."

Link nodded. "Yeah, Fi doesn't usually pop out in front of other people. She didn't mean to scare you."

Gondo chuckled, the happiness that had appeared when Scrapper came to life starting to drain away. "I just can't believe…" he shook his head. "I heard the rumors, and I saw you when they brought you in all bloody that time, but… seeing it, the proof, it's just…"

Link nodded. "I know what you mean."

Gondo stared down at his hands. "I wish you two kids never got dragged into… whatever this is. You shouldn't have to be doing this." Gondo eyed Link's wounds once more. "You're paying the price for something that isn't your fault, aren't you?"

Link didn't respond. He couldn't.

Gondo understood. He pushed back from the counter and picked up his hammer. "Stay safe, alright?"

"Gondo." Link swallowed. "I'm… I'm suh-sorry about Grebuh-ba."

Link's stammer conveyed what his words couldn't. He didn't turn his head to look at the older man's face, but he heard the emotion in his voice. "My ma always liked you, kid. Zelda drove her up the wall with her stunts, but under all her bluster she always thought you were something special." Link heard him return to his work bench, and Link turned to leave. Just before the hammering resumed, he heard Gondo say with a smile, "I guess she was right."

Link wiped away his tears and stepped outside.

A/N: Alright, so a few things to say!

I'm apologizing, like I seem to do every chapter, for the time it took to get this out. I have a busy summer ahead of me, but I also now have a laptop that I can write on without worrying about location or my main computer's availability!

I also have to say that I did not get this chapter beta'd, I edited it myself, for better or worse. My email is flipping out lately and I can't figure out why, so for the sake of time and saving myself a lot of frustration, I just self-edited this one. Not to say later chapters will not be beta'd, but it depends on when my email stops acting ridiculous.

So here's this chapter. I think I'll be skipping through the fetch part of this quest, so expect the next chapter to jump right in to the Light Tower. I hope you're enjoying the story so far, and no matter what the time it takes to update is, please always know that I do plan to finish this. I started this and I refuse to quit, because I am still so excited for some of the upcoming scenes and bits.

I got in to Homestuck since I last updated. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a good read over the summer. You can find it at . The first Act is slow and weird, but push through till you really get to see the start of the main plot and you wont be disappointed.

Also, for anyone interested, I have a tumblr! .com is my blog! I post things that are zelda related, harry potter related, funny, homestuck related, and various animes related, so be prepared if you follow me. Also, if you want, you can contact me on there too if you're curious about new chapters or have suggestions for the story.

See ya later!

6teenana1