Chapter Text
It was a small change, a heaviness to their body as they traveled with the other eight heroes through the fog obscured forest. It was much denser than any other they had seen before, and no one else had seemed to recognize where they were. Though Wild had thought that it was his land until his Sheikah Slate showed only static in place of a map. Frustrated, he had shaken the thing until Twilight had calmly told him to just put it away, earning a few quiet laughs from their companions.
Time had taken the lead then, stating that they’d happen upon a village or the forest’s edge at some point, so they kept moving. They knew something was up though, as the fog became thicker and denser the longer they walked. The others seemed on edge, too. They could see everyone fidgeting around them, grasping at the hilts of their weapons or fiddling with the hems of their shirts.
Then, they all stopped, for what reason they weren’t sure yet, at least until they heard a voice. The sound sending pain through their heart and mind at the familiarity of it.
They whipped their heads around to locate the source, and further away from the group, they saw a familiar figure, off the path and a short distance into the dense fog.
“Link,” the figure said, relief and smugness on his face, “Long time no see, huh?”
They felt choked up at the sight, tears forming at the corners of their eyes at the sight of a friend that they had begun to accept was never coming back, and looking exactly as he had when he shattered the mirror, ending not only his life but that of Vaati and Ganon. It had been too long.
They bolted, not quite hearing Hyrule’s cry of “Four, wait!” as he sped over to the Shadow and just hugged him tightly. They could feel the need to split, to let everyone else see and talk to Shadow, so he reluctantly let go and raised his sword.
Soon, four similar-looking boys were surrounding the Shadow, all with mixed expressions of relief and happiness as they embraced their friend.
“I'm… really glad that I could see you guys again,” Shadow got out, though it was obvious that he was getting choked up as well.
They should have known it wouldn’t last however, as soon the sound of footsteps became closer to their group. The four colors turned from their friend, protecting him with swords drawn as the new figure approached.
“Four, what’s going on?” the unmistakable voice of Hyrule spoke, and he approached the group, growing nervous at the sight of not only the Shadow but the sight of four people who looked exactly like Four.
Hyrule drew his sword and Blue practically growled in warning, taking a step closer with his sword raised in warning.
“Don’t even think about it.”
Hyrule flinched at the tone he heard, stepping back, yet still looking with worry in his eyes. Glancing between each colored hero, and then looking at Shadow.
“Okay, I’m backing off now. Can you just tell me what’s going?” He spoke up.
Green and Blue turned to Vio, the better speaker of the group, and with a sigh, he let go of Shadow’s hand to stand in front of them.
“We heard a friend call out to us, and when we looked through the fog, we saw him. We… we hadn’t seen Shadow since our last adventure. We thought he’d died.”
Hyrule’s worry seemed to grow as Vio spoke, and in the end, he smiled sadly.
“I’m sorry that you, uh, all? Went through that. But… are you sure that’s what you’re actually seeing?”
The four of them looked at each other in confusion. Shadow too, looked concerned at what the other had said. He was here… wasn’t he?
“Shadow?” Red spoke up, and he gripped the other’s hand tightly. “Th-this is really you, right?”
“Of course it’s really him!” Blue shouted, interrupting the Shade, “Who else would it be!”
Yet, as they bickered, Shadow seemed to finally understand. He looked at Hyrule, who wasn’t even looking his way anymore, instead, he was looking at his friends with a saddened look in his eyes even as he smiled. Shadow looked at Red, where his grip was beginning to slack, and Green who was looking at him with concern.
“Link,” he spoke up, earning the four colors’ attention. He smiled sadly at all of them, knowing now what needed to be said, even if it hurts, “It’s time to wake up… I’ll… I’ll see you later, okay?”
A bright flash of light startled the four, and when they opened their eyes, not only were they Four once again but the friend they had been so relieved to see, was gone once again.
Four crumpled to their knees, shaken yes, but reeling from the loss after having been so convinced that Shadow was indeed here again. They felt a hand on their shoulder, looking up to see Hyrule looking concerned yet silently asking a question.
“I… No, I’m not okay.” Four answered, and Hyrule sat beside them as Four silently cried.
They leaned into Hyrule, seeking the comfort that he willingly gave. It still hurt so much, and the hope that Shadow was here again was shattered. Just like before… Hylia what a cruel joke. Soon, the shaking of their shoulders stopped, and they could breathe without sobs interrupting each breath. They had calmed down enough to truly look around, and it was only them and Hyrule.
“Where are the others?”
“If I were to guess, they’re probably going through exactly what you did.”
Four then remembered what the false Shadow had said.
“They’re asleep… Lost I guess you could say.”
Hyrule looked confused. Four couldn’t help but chuckle as they stood up and brushed off their tunic, offering a hand to the still sitting hero.
“Thanks for the help, ‘Rule. Now it’s time for everyone else to wake up.”