Chapter 15 - Foreshadowing

After their arrival in the Dimensional Gap, the Hyrulians were made to live on the same planet as the dinosaur-like Saurians. The Saurians themselves were mostly hospitable to them, the exceptions being the Sharpclaw Tribe, Redeye Tribe, and the Shadowhunter Tribe, who mostly kept to themselves anyway. The rest of the Saurians, along with the other groups saved by the Knights of Hope, did their best to help the Hyrulians settle in. These other groups included the Bo-Bomb Tribe, a race of living, breathing, bombs, the Yoshi Tribe, who were also dinosaur-like creatures, Bu-bulbs, who consisted of sentient flowers, and the Chozo Tribe, who were a bird-like people. Each of these tribes inhabited a different planetary body, all connected by an ingenious form of interplanetary teleportation devices developed by the Haldberd's technicians.[br]
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Link, in the meanwhile, did his best to familiarize himself with their new home. The planetary body they called 'home' was one of a hand-full of planets lost in a vast field of asteroids. At best, the planets served as shelters for the weary refugees, with no vegetation, and their ownly source of light being a lone, unimpressive, sun some distance away. The reason they were able to make a living on these planets was due to the plantlife provided by the Bu-bulb Tribe, and the amount of supplies each tribe and group was able to pool together, along with some 'borrowed' essentials from the Mushroom Empire's supply stations.[br]
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Link was simply amazed by the wonders from the other worlds: flying vehicles and strange machinery from Corneria, exotic plants and creatures from the former Mushroom Kingdom, even an iron-wrought monstrosity that Snake called a 'Metal Gear.' Rather than horrified, Link was filled with a sort of child-like wonder as he beheld all these things. Link was always considered a somewhat trusting fellow, rarely showing any hostility toward other races, unless a reason made itself apparant to him. Seeing all these strange and amazing things made him wonder about what other worlds had to offer.[br]
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What Link was most impressed by was how these different cultures were coming together. He never really thought much of it, but it was really a blessing that the different races of Hyrule were able to co-exist among each other. Now, here they were, mixing among other races, forming more ties of friendship. This gave Link a bright future to hope for, one where peace could exist. In the meantime, there was the threat towards that peace that needed to be dealt with. So long as Mario continued on his path of destruction, he didn't have the luxury to rest until he was stopped once and for all.[br]
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Once that thought entered his head, Link took a deep sigh. It was the second time he'd been pulled into something he didn't want to be a part of. The first time, he'd been literally dragged into it. Now, here he was again, heeding the call of the Hero and stepping forward to fight the good fight.[br]
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He had nothing against doing good deeds; it's just that he rather preferred the more simpler life. Herding goats and running errands was plenty enough good as far as he was concerned. Never in a million years would he have imagined himself fighting monsters and saving people from tyrranic maniacs.[br]
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These thoughts swirled around in his head as he looked up at the skies of this new world. The day had turned to night, but it wasn't any night that Link was accustomed to. Instead of twinkling stars and a pale moon hanging above them, there were clumps of meteors scattered over head, floating among wisps of blue clouds through the darkness. There would be no stars to gaze upon here; there wasn't enough space for them. Of course, stars were a small price to pay for staying alive and free, Link reasoned.[br]
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His thoughts were then interupted when a hand lightly came to rest on his shoulder. Link turned and saw that it was Krystal.[br]
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"Oh," Link said, "how are you?"[br]
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"Fine," Krystal said meekly.[br]
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Immediately, Link could tell something was bothering her, and was about ask when Krystal said, "You should come with me. There's something you need to see..."[br]
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***[br]
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Krystal led Link to the bridge of the Haldberd, where Daisy, Peppy, and Blade Knight were waiting. What Krystal was referring to was a news feed that Otacon was able to intercept not too long ago. It was so urgent that involved not only Link, but Zelda and Vissen as well. And there was good reason. What the news feed was broadcasting was the burning remains of Hyrule Castle Town. The images were almost too much for them to bare.[br]
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And not just Castle Town, by everywhere throughout Hyrule was destroyed. Whatever buildings were left standing were reduced to rubble. It was simply horrifying. Homes, businesses, temples of deep and rooted history; none were spared.[br]
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And the worst of it was that Mario was placing the blame for the destruction on Link. In the broadcast, the news reporter repeated Mario's claims, that he supposedly was chased out of Hyrule by Link, who after the broadcast, made a gambit to claim Hyrule for himself, and that instead, he wound up destroying Hyrule and leaving it in ruins.[br]
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This turn of events made Link absolutely furious. Not only was he now labled a criminal, but Mario had also instigated the destruction of his beloved homeland. He couldn't imagine anything more infuriating than this.[br]
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Zelda said nothing as she stared at the view screen, watching her homeland burn to ashes. Vissen, however, wouldn't keep quiet.[br]
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"So," he began angrily, "this is our reward? We place our hopes in our beloved hero, and how are we repaid? Our homes are destroyed, and we are left with no country to call our own!"[br]
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Vissen then turned to Link and furiously continued, "You've ruined everything you self-righteous blowhard! By siding us against the empire, you've turned us into a race of lowly refugees!! You-!"[br]
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"That's enough, Vissen!!"[br]
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Zelda's outburst greatly overpowered Vissen's complaints, and he stormed out fuming because of his loss of words.[br]
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Link, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel like Vissen's words were justified. Link had been so confident in his decision up until he saw the consequences of that decision. Now, there was no home for Hyrule to return to once the war ended. The people he'd fought so hard to protect had just lost everything because they believed in him. This guilt would be one of the heaviest burdens Link would bear.[br]
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"I'm sorry," Daisy said as she looked over to Zelda and Link, "If I'd known Mario would stoop so low as to do this..."[br]
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"You had no way of knowing," Zelda replied as she fought back her own tears, "no one could have known."[br]
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Link said nothing, but ran out after an uncomfortable silence. Krystal stared after him; she couldn't have imagined how much pain he must've been going through.[br]
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Zelda then raised her own head and said, "If you'll excuse me, I need to address my people."[br]
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Daisy nodded, and Zelda walked off, almost gliding across the floor in a mournful sort of way.[br]
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Daisy then slumped into one of the empty chairs on the bridge as she allowed the tension to sink in.[br]
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"I can't believe he'd go so far as to do this," Daisy said bitterly, referring to the telecast, "he's become a monster!"[br]
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"All the more reason we need to continue fighting him," Peppy said encouragingly, "or else everyone will suffer."[br]
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Daisy nodded in agreement, and all remaining sat in silence as the Mushroom Empire's newscast continued to play on the main viewer.[br]
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Link went to his new quarters on the Haldberd. He just sat on his bed, taking great interest in the linolium carpet. All the while, he had been doing more thinking. He still remembered Rusl's counsel, and knew there would be no arguing their position on the morality of Mario's actions. But now, Link had begun to question the practicallity of being 'moral.' All the good intentions and righteousness he believed in didn't stop what came to pass. Now that all of Hyrule had lost their homes, how would their feelings toward him be changed? Would they be as understanding and patient as Zelda, or would he be chastised by them the same way he was by Vissen?[br]
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If they did curse his actions, Link would not argue with or blame them. He had asked every person in Hyrule to sacrifice everything without them even realizing it, just because he believed in truth and justice. He saved them, but at what cost?[br]
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Just then, his door opened and a blonde woman in a blue jumpsuit walked in.[br]
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"Who're you?" Link asked, somewhat startled.[br]
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"Relax, it's me," the woman replied, "Samus."[br]
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Link was a bit taken back. It was the first time he'd seen her without her armor on. Her voice was the same, so Link took some reassurance in that recognition.[br]
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"I need you to follow me," Samus said.[br]
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Link asked where they were going, to which Samus replied, "You'll see."[br]
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Link became a little suspicious of this, but followed her anyway, mostly out of curiosity.[br]
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The walk to their destination was mostly silent. Link's thoughts still dwelled on the recent news that he had learned of as their trip took them from the Haldberd, onto the planet surface. Link and Samus's walk then took them through the new Hyrulian settlement, where Link found the answer to one of his questions.[br]
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As they walked on, Link raised his head looked at the faces of the people around him. Most of them averted their gaze, and those who did meet his eyes met them with malcontent and resentment. It was as he feared: they believed he had failed them, as much as he believed it himself.[br]
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After passing through the settlement, Samus broke her silence and said, "Stop being such a dumbass."[br]
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Link shot a glare at the back of her head as she continued, "All this crying over your lost country isn't going to fix anything."[br]
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At this, Link was about to rebut when Samus cut him off by saying, "You're mourning the loss of buildings. Constructions of wood and stone. How foolish can you people be? You have any idea how lucky you are, compared to those who are still suffering?"[br]
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To this, Link had no comeback. It was a hard lesson, but she had her point. Homes could be rebuilt, lives were much more fragile.[br]
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After their talk, Samus and Link fell back into silence as they reached a warp panel, that took them to one of the other planets, where they came to another one of the settlements. This area was the new home of the Chozo, who had come from Samus's dimension. Compared to the other races, the Chozo were much more humble looking. They made their homes in makeshift tents and had little access to any modern conviniences. Despite that, however, they were an ingenious race, capable of creating technological marvels that even Peppy had to admit were beyond fantastic.[br]
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This particular group had been found on a deserted planet in the far corners of the galaxy. Though they held on to the knowledge of their ancestors, they were more attached to their traditions and religious beliefs. They seemed to Link more like ancient sage-like people he could relate to, as opposed to the other people he'd met.[br]
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Samus eventually took him to the largest tent among them, and led him inside. There, he saw an extremely old Chozo, who seemed to be chanting something when they entered the tent. The elder Chozo looked up when he heard them enter, and both Link and Samus sat opposite him near the fire.[br]
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"Elder," Samus said respectfully, "I've brought the warrior from your vision."[br]
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Link looked at both the elder and Samus with a start. A vision? About him? And Link thought he'd had so many questions before.[br]
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The elder looked at Samus, then at Link. He seemed to be studying Link for a few moments, then asked Link, "Show me your left hand."[br]
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The request sent chills up his spine. There could've been only one reason he could think of as to why the Chozo would want to see his left hand. So, upon removing his gauntlet, he showed him his hand. There, on the back of his hand, was the mark of the goddess: the Triforce symbol. This was the mark that branded him as the Chosen Hero of Legends.[br]
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Sure enough, upon seeing the marking, the Chozo elder said, "Yes, yes. The mark of the green garbed warrior. You've come to us at last."[br]
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"At...last?" Link asked, sorely confused.[br]
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"Yes," The elder replied, "You are the one to bring about salvation."[br]
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"What are you talking about?" Link asked incredulously.[br]
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The elder didn't answer, but instead pulled a small, glowing, green orb and offered it to Link, who was instinctively apprehensive at first, but, out of curiosity, recieved it anyway.[br]
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As he held the orb in his hand, the eerie glow seemed almost hypnotizing. Link began to feel himself being drawn into the orb as the rest if his surroundings slowly faded into a swirl of colors. Then, Link's vision began to slowly fade to black.[br]
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***[br]
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When he opened his eyes again, Link was no longer inside the tent. He was standing the surface of the planet now. Link then tried to get his bearings, and looked around. All about him, a battle was raging between the Knights of Hope and the Mushroom Empire.[br]
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At first, Link's response was one of fear, but then, he noticed something odd. He looked down at his hands, and in his right hand was a thin, blue, sword that he'd never laid eyes on before, and in his left were blue shards of some glass relic. He certainly didn't remember breaking anything, and he began to wonder what exactly had just happened.[br]
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Then, as he looked up, straight ahead, he saw Mario, kneeling on the ground, and clutching his chest. At this point, Link realized what this was. It wasn't real; it probably hadn't even happened yet. Was this a vision on how to defeat Mario? If so, how did Link do it? These images so far hadn't told him anything yet.[br]
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As Link tried to piece everything together, Link suddenly noticed a burning sensation in his left hand, that was steadily becoming hotter and hotter. He looked down at his hand to see that it was now beginning to glow, and the golden shine was growing brighter as the burning became hotter. He simply stared at his palm as the light continued to grow in intensity, and as he turned his hand to see the back, he was able to make out the completed Triforce symbol, which showed all three golden triangles shining, as opposed to the partial symbol, with one triangle, that was supposed to be there, when the light and the heat finally became too much to bear. He closed his eyes as the light and heat kept growing and growing until...[br]
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***[br]
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Link's eyes flew open as he finally came out of his vision. It was one of the most terrifying things he'd seen so far. The experience felt so real; Link could still feel the burning sensation in his hand. The experience was so exhausting, Link flopped onto the ground, panic striken and short of breath. He laid there until Samus grabbed his arm and helped him upright. It wasn't until he was erect that he noticed he was still clutching the green orb, so tightly that it took him a while to loosen it from his grip.[br]
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Link then looked hard at the Elder and asked, "What was that?!"[br]
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The Elder was silent for a short while, then said, "It is your destiny."[br]

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