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emile-hides · 3 years

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My Hero Pokemon AU

Basic title because I cannot think but I’ve decided I’m just gonna go ahead and rewrite the entire plot of My Hero Academia (current anime) as if it was like... a spin off of the Pokemon Anime? Took place in Pokemon?

Pokemon AU but more than just what Pokemon everyone would have, it’s plot. I’m just not writing it.

This is going to get long and rambley and I have no cool art to pace it out I’m literally rewriting an entire anime plot, but if you’d be so kind as to stick with me that’d be super cool.

So basics are as basics do, Toshinori Yagi is the Pokemon Champion of this world. He’s like the Pokemon Master, he’s more than just a strong battler, he’s also helpful and spends his time growing the bonds between Pokemon and People, making Pokemon more common amongst a world where the idea of keeping a Pokemon for something other than battling was absurd.

There are three ways to get a Pokemon;

The most old fashioned being at 4-6 years old your parent or parental figure will give you an egg from one of their Pokemon, and it’s your job to care for it until it hatches.

Likewise, a parent or parental figure can also simply pass down a Pokemon from their own team onto a child at age 4 or older. Typically the older Pokemon is more of a guardian for the young trainer than an actual partner

Finally, you can take a Pokemon Personality Test and be gifted a Pokemon by a local professor or even the champion if you reach the right requirements, and pay a kinda hefty fee.

The last option is what Katsuki Bakugou did on his 4th birthday. He was gifted a Cyndaquil. Unlike the usual timid behavior for it’s species, Katsuki’s Cyndaquil was constantly picking fights. The flames on it’s back were always full strength. The two were perfect.

Izuku’s parents were a little more old fashioned. His father is a traveling Pokemon Trainer who’s partner is a Flareon, while his mother’s partner is an Espeon. The two opted to pass an egg from their partners down to Izuku.

He was the only kid in his class who had an egg, and was bullied for it, as he was the only one who couldn’t battle. And of course, the greatest battler of his grade was Katsuki Bakugou, who’s Cyndaquil took out even hand-me down Pokemon.

Still, he believed in the greatness that would hatch from the egg, and cared for it diligently. When his Eevee hatched, the two already shared a closer bond than any other trainer at Izuku’s school.

Eevee, however, was not very strong. He didn’t win any battles at school, and Izuku tended to hesitate as a trainer. Despite his many notes on battling, he could never get the hang of telling Eevee what to do in time. Katsuki loked down at him because of this.

Here’s where I stop being a storyteller for a hot second; The log accident between Katsuki and Izuku is replaced by Katsuki’s Cyndaquil loosing a battle to a wild Pokemon and fainting for the first time. Katsuki wasn’t prepared for this, he didn’t have anything to make Cyndaquil better, and it was actually Izuku and his Eevee who chased off the wild Pokemon and found Oran berries to heal Cyndaquil.

Obviously, neither of them liked that. Because you know. Angy boy has to angy. So Katsuki and his Cyndaquil both hate Izuku and his Eevee for... helping them. Because they don’t need help. They’re strong all on their own. Fuck you Deku.

By middle school Bakugou is still the best battler in his grade and grades above, his Cyndaquil is now a Quilava, soon to be a Typhlosion, and he’s setting his sights on the elite Pokemon Trainers school; UA Highschool.

On the other hand, Midoriya’s Eevee has blatantly refused to evolve any time Midoriya brought it up, and is now more like a house pet than a partner Pokemon. Midoriya has also failed to catch any new Pokemon. He does, however, have notebooks on type advantages, teams, strategy, and move combos. Eevee and Midoriya spend hours researching the perfect next partner to match Eevee. They too want to go to UA.

But that’d be impossible for an unevolved Pokemon as weak as Eevee. And with no other partners to help out it seems like a pipe dream.

Enter All Might, Champion and Pokemon Master. Who’s secret star Pokemon is an unevolved Scorbunny.

In this AU it’s not the act of saving Bakugou from getting his Quilava stolen by a Team LOV Grunt that sparks Toshinori’s drive to train him; But instead, the sync he has with his Pokemon. Both he and Eevee ran into the battle, a loosing battle, against a trainer they could not beat, without saying a word to one another. They both HAD to help. They both HAD to battle.

The connection between Trainer and Pokemon is what really matters, especially when using One for All, which is like a Z-Crystal or Mega Stone. It acts a lot like the Sync moves from Pokemon Masters. The trust between Trainer and Pokemon is gathered and released in an all out attack. It comes with the backlash of draining a Pokemon and Trainer’s life force if used too much. Like a Life Orb in the games, but less number values.

Toshinori and his Scorbunny train Izuku and his Eevee to inherit this power. Any Pokemon can be strong, evolution or not. It’s all about trust and care. A true trainer wins with the Pokemon they like, as Toshinori’s master once taught him.

Okay this post is getting... ridiculously long and we’re barely though episode like 3 when I said I was rewriting the whole plot I meant it. Thankyou to all who have stuck with me thus far, I’ll speed run Class 1-A’s Partner Pokemon real quick for you.

Yuga Ayoama - Carbink he hatched from an egg, he hopes one day to see it evolve into a Diancie

Mina Ashido - Her first Pokemon is her Salazzle she got from a Personality test, but her always out of it’s Pokeball her partner is a Grimer she caught in middle school. She thinks she’s the cutest Pokemon in the world, and likes to dress her up. She also has a Sliggoo who loves hugs.

Tsuyu Asui - Her main Pokemon is her father’s Politoed, though she’s always surrounded by water types. She can be seen cradling Tympol and Poliwag like babies. She also has a Drizzile.

Tenya Iida - Current owner of the family’s Aegishlash after Tensei had the his team stolen and corrupted by Team LOV. Before then his number one Partner was a Shelmet, traded with his brother to evolve into an Accelgor just before the entrance exam for UA.

Ochaco Uraraka - Hatched a Ralts from her parents, upon entering UA it was still a Kirlia. After interning under the Ace Trainer Gunhead it evolved into a Gallade.

Mashirao Ojiro - Specializes in fighting types, his main Pokemon is a Mienshao, though he also has a Mankey and Monferno who are constantly fighting one another, Meinshao, being the oldest, is typically the one to break up these fights. The joke here is his Pokemon have more personality than he does.

Denki Kaminari - Pikachu from a personality test. It’ll evolve into an Alolan Raichu. He also has a Blitzle with Lighting Rod as it’s ability along a Tynamo and a Toxel (Amped) who are both still in training. Very baby.

Ejiro Kirishima - Wants to be a Dragon type gym leader. He has a Druddigon that hated him he caught in middle school, because that’s Crimson Riot’s ace Pokemon. His first Pokemon was his dad’s Gigalith who acts as a dad to his Druddigon.

Koji Koda - His first Pokemon was a Buneary he hatched. It hates him, to this day, it’s best move is Frustration. It wants to be a battler, they only went to UA because it signed up for this school behind his back. He wanted to be a Pokemon Breeder. He also has a Happiny and an Audino.

Rikido Sato - His mom gave him her Pikachu as a starter. It’s currently an Alolan Raichu from the amount of sweets he’s given it. He also has an Alcremie he nursed back to health when it was injured, and a Ribombee.

Mezo Shoji - Has his dad’s Cinccino, an Aipom, and a Grapplot. They’re all very calm and quiet Pokemon, usually just hanging off him in various ways. Cinccino will beat the ass of whoever didn’t clean their dishes in the dorms, though.

Kyoka Jiro - Toxtricity (Low Key) from her dad, and a Mime Jr. that’ll evolve into a Mr. Ryme. She wants to be a strong battler but she also wants to preform in Pokemon Musicals and Contests.

Hanta Sero - Bug type trainer, his two current out of the ball Pokemon are a Caterpie and Sewaddle that are always on his shoulders. His first Pokemon was a Grubbin, currently a Vikavolt. They all know string shot and like to cocoon him whenever possible. On the hunt for a Wurmple next.

Fumikage Tokoyami - His first Pokemon was an Inkay he befriended. Sense evolving into a Malamar it refuses to listen to him, tending to act on it’s own or even hypnotize him to keep him from getting in it’s way. He also seems to attract wild Murkrow whenever he’s outside.

Shoto Todoroki - His Pokemon will get full indepth looks later in the post just know his starter was a Tepig from an egg his dad gave him. The rest of his team are ice types like Weavile and Glalie. He also cares for his mom’s Frosslass and Frosmoth. His room is full of Snom.

Toru Hagakura - Has her mom’s Alolan Ninetails, along with a Kecleon that is almost always invisible. Her Kecleon and Tsyu’s Drizzle are best friends.

Katsuki Bakugo - Obviously his Typholsion which evolved during entrance exams. He also has a Magmortar, a Larvitar he’s training, and a Ferrothorn he has for type coverage.

Izuku Midoriya - We’ll go over the growth of his team in a second, just know for a very long time (around midway though where season 3 is) Eevee was his only Pokemon. Now he has a Breloom as well.

Minoru Mineta - Has a Crogunk from a personality test that poison jabs him everytime he says or does anything pervy like Brock from the Pokemon anime. He also has a Zygarde Core he claims is an extremely rare and very powerful Pokemon.

Momo Yaoyorozu - Magearna is her staple Pokemon, her father bought it for her when she was very little. She also has both a male and female Indeedee.

This is all current as of season 5 teams, so some backstory on where some Pokemon came from may happen later.

That took...longer than expected... Back to plot!

I can’t take too long to talk about the USJ Incident, because it’s not the biggest deal and I’d have to go into pro-hero ie Ace and Veteran Trainer’s Pokemon, along with League of Villain stuff so we’re gonna gloss over this for just a hot second.

Just know LOV is the evil team in this AU. They want to take down the Pokemon League, and AFO wants the OFA gem Toshinori passed down to Izuku.

Sports Festival aka Battle Tournament time:

This is mostly Shoto Todoroki growth and learning.

His father, Enji Todoroki, is an Elite Four member who wants to overthrow the Champion and take his throne. Of course, he never could, so he married rich, Rei Todoroki, and harshly trained his children to be Pokemon Champions.

Shoto’s Tepig, currently a Pignite, is a the direct offspring of Endevor’s Emboar, and he refuses to use it in fear it may evolve and become exactly like his father. Shoto only uses half his team, and distances himself from his one true partner to throw away his father’s legacy.

Pignite, however, demands to battle Izuku and it’s fullest, even when Shoto refuses to allow it.

Izuku is the one to convince him that it’s HIS partner! His FRIEND! That he can trust his Pignite and if he’s too scared to evolve it it doesn’t HAVE to evolve! It’s fine as a Pignite, it fights for YOU Shoto! Put your trust in your partner!

This pushes him to not only use Pignite, but the Pokemon his mother entrusted him with as well, such as her Froslass.

All the meanwhile, Iida discovers his brother, current leader of the Iida Gym, was attacked by Team LOV, his Pokemon were stolen, and he was gravely injured.

Team LOV uses Shadow Pokemon, Pokemon who have closed off their hearts to humans and attack without mercy. Battles end in death, for both the trainer and the Pokemon. Tensei is lucky to still be alive.

All that remains of his trusted team is the family’s Aegishlash, their Grandfather’s first partner, and a trusted Iida family member. Tensei, unable to fully battle without his full team, passes on the Iida family Pokemon to Tenya, along with the promise to one day guard the Gym’s name.

This arc is almost completely without Stain and I genuinely don’t know how to really... incorporate him correctly. His morals are kinda weird to me and getting that to work around Pokemon would be hard. So I’m just making him a Team LOV admin. Sorry Stain, I know you stand for better than this, but I just... Can’t work with it.

Queue Tenya Iida’s bad boy arc, as he goes hunting after Team LOV with plans to shut down the entire organization single-handedly.

Of course this doesn’t work out and he end up in a fight with Team LOV Admin, Stain, who proceeds to kick his teeth in using dirty tactics and shadow Pokemon. This is the most OOC thing that’ll be in this AU I swear I’m so sorry Stain...

During this fight Midoriya starts to really see the backlash of using OFA at it’s limit, as both he and Eevee end up passing out from exhaustion, allowing Stain to get away, landing them both in the hospital.

Grand Torino doesn’t have words to teach Midoriya how to use OFA correctly, he simply gives him an egg and is off on his way. He’ll figure it out, he’s a smart kid.

Izuku spends most of his summer training camp caring for this egg, while everyone else is testing battle match ups, double battles, rotation battles, along with facing against type disadvantages and, of course, catching new team members in the surrounding forest.

Which of course brings us to Team LOV’s attack on the Summer Training Camp, and I’m again going to try and speed run their Pokemon partners, and this time I will be sticking to the Pokemon they have as of the attack on the camp, rather than future teams. Meaning I’m skipping AFO entirely right now. Also Nomu are replaced entirely with Shadow Pokemon.

Tomura Shigaraki (Team Boss) - All of his Pokemon are acquired from AFO, including his main Pokemon, Giratina (Altered Form), Dusknoir, and Golurk. The only Pokemon he has of his own is Banette

Dabi (Team Admin)- His ace is a Charizard constantly in it’s Mega-X form. He also has a Shiny Ponyta, Lampent, and a Shadow Reshiram gifted to him by LOV

Toga (Team Admin)- Her ace is a Ditto that tries to transform into people rather than Pokemon. She treats it like a person and calls it her friend rather than her partner. She also controls shadow versions of The Lake Trio; Uxie, Azelf, and Mespirit

Twice (Team Admin)- His ace is a Zweilous, the two heads are constantly fighting and he’s back and forth on stopping them. He’s not a very competent trainer and tends to give double commands. He’s in charge of a Shadow Kyurem.

Muscular (Team Admin)- Could care less about his bond with his Pokemon, they’re all shadow Pokemon. Machamp, Heracross, Hariyama, and Conkeldurr. He also has a Buzzwole, though it doesn’t seem to be a shadow Pokemon.

Spinner (Grunt)- Scyther, Escavalier, and Shedinja.

Magne (Grunt)- Plusle, Minun, and a Morpeko. Supports Spinner in Double Battles, she’s not a direct fighter.

Mr. Compress (Grunt)- Mr. Mime is is ace, he also as a Mr. Ryme and a Clefairy. They all know Metronome and use it even when he tells them not to.

Mustard (Grunt)- Wheezing, Dustox, Stunky, and Amoongus. Very defensive.

Moonfish (Grunt)- Has too many Unown. Are they even his Pokemon? They just kinda surround him and attack all at once. He does not give them any commands. Is he even alive? He doesn’t seem to move much.

Moonfish, Mustard, and Muscular all get captured, their Pokemon are moved into protective custody, Shadow Pokemon are treated and rehabilitated. And of course, Bakugo is kidnapped by the evil team.

During the raid on Team LOV’s hideout, Ace Trainers, Gym Leaders, and Elite Four members manage to contain all shadow Pokemon and transport them to safer facilities, though with plenty of struggle.

All for One fight happens, and true anime style, Toshinori’s ace, Scorbunny, manages to take down AFO’s Giritina (Origin Form), allowing for his capture. With the cost of revealing to the world the toll OFA has taken on both Toshinori and his partner.

I wish I could find some way to talk about the Dorm episode because it and the first episode of season 4 are easily my favorite episodes. They’re just so cute, and it’d only be cuter with partner Pokemon and growing bonds and all that. Please take this moment to appreciate those episodes.

Moving into the Dorms is about the right time for Izuku’s egg from Grand Tirino to hatch! Surprise! It’s a... Shroomish?? Granted he’s a bit confused at first, but Toshinori helps a bit. He won’t just give him the answer of course. What kind of teacher does that?

Izuku realizes he can’t put too much of OFA’s strain on just his Eevee, he need to lessen the weight on his partner. He talks to Shroomish about it, explain how it works and says if he doesn’t want to battle, he doesn’t have to.

But of course Shroomish wants to battle! It wants great power and to be best friends with Midoriya and Eevee!

Shroomish evolves during license training, which I’m not 100% positive how to translate into this AU... I’m so sorry to both the Provisional License (which has some of the best characters) and Stain for just completely glossing over whatever it is you all do but I just wanna keep going I’ve been writing for 8 hours straight now.

Internships time. I know there’s a lot of really REALLY good characters in this arc. Super cool, full of personality and the ability to go ham wild on their Pokemon teams is diving me wild rn but like the story of this arc is also super wild so I’ll spare y’all my ten page essay on Fatgum’s Pokemon, unless you wanna come into my ask box and ask for that spesifically, I will give it to you.

We’ll just do The big Three and move on:

Mirio Togata - His starter was defenetly a Ghastly, currently a Gengar full of love and laughs. He also has a Togekiss, Gliscor, and a Heracross. They’re all very happy, fun loving Pokemon, who trust eachother and Mirio very closely.

Neijire Hado - She started with a Mareep, now an Ampharos, she’s also currently caring for a Smoochum, and a Vibrava. Her Pokemon are constantly full of energy.

Tamaki Amajiki - He got a Smeargle from his Pokemon Personality test as a starter, much like him his Smeargle is very shy about it’s art, only showing it to Tamaki, Mirio, and Mirio’s Heracross. Her also has a Skrelp who doesn’t like to battle, and a Drifblim he hides behind.

Eri is a little girl currently plagued by Darkrai’s nightmares. Overhaul is using these nightmares to create the serum that turns Pokemon into Shadow Pokemon. His goal is to separate people and Pokemon permanently.

Because of her constant nightmares, Eri is terrified of Pokemon, and is always weary around them, especally if they are bigger than her.

Just like in the main story, Mirio and Izuku run into Eri while on patrol, and immedetly know something’s wrong, but can’t do anything, letting her slip back into the hands of Overhaul.

The Yakuza, in this AU, run the Pokemon Daycare as a front, thus they have a lotta eggs. During the raid of the base, Twice’s Zweilious, evolved into Hydreigeon, finds and gets attached to one such egg. He eventually gifts it to Toga.

During the battles of the raid, Overhaul turns quiet a few Pokemon into Shadow Pokemon, including Nighteyes’ ace, Xatu, who in the rage induced by becoming shadowed, attacks and gravely wounds Nighteye.

Mirio’s team does their best as well, but his team are also stripped of their hearts and bonds. Even so, he keeps fighting. He pushes them to please, keep going, for Eri! So she can know the joy of having her own Pokemon some day, and be free of all this pain!

He manages to keep them fighting until Izuku shows up, though by then he’s taken the brunt of quiet a few of his own Pokemon’s attacks and can no longer stand.

When the dust all settals, the Shadow Pokemon are gathered and slept for their own saftey. Eri’s grandfather, the Yakuza Boss, is still in a coma. In his room police find an egg, a gift meant for Eri, her first Pokemon.

But she’s still too scared of Pokemon to accept it.

School Festival time; Time to go after Jiro’s true passion: Pokemon Preformances!

I have a personal weakness for the Pokemon Musicals from Black and White, and it fits this little section here where they all put on a concert with singing and dancing and the whole idea of Jiro and Denki’s Toxtricitys jamming together on stage is making me soft so like

That’s what happens

And it helps Eri get over her fear of Pokemon. Not entrily all at once, but for a moment, just a moment, all these Pokemon having fun, dancing and singing, wearing cute little clothes just... Makes her so happy!

So.

That’s the plot thus far, as of anime standards, that’s about where I am and it’s almost all my thoughts. I have a few miscellaneous things to clean up, sense I know quiet a few manga bits, so feel free to stop here if your an Anime causual like me.

Also! If I didn’t include someone’s team and you’d like to know, or you want to judge me on my reasons for giving certain people certain Pokemon, send me an ask. I’ll gladly explain. I have explinations. A lot of them.

OKAY MISCELLANEOUS TIME NOW:

Eri’s egg from her grandfather has a Celebi in it, the cure to Shadow Pokemon. I’m not sure when it’ll hatch, but she takes care of it every day.

Mirio actually still has his team! They’re just shadow Pokemon now, so they rarely listen to him and often attack him. He doesn’t particapate in real battles anymore, for fear his Pokemon will hurt someone else, but he still trains and plays with them the best he can! He’s constantly covered in scratches and bites.

Dabi’s charizard was given to him as a Charmander by his dad. His father claimed he wasn’t a good trainer because he cared and cried too much when his Pokemon got hurt, and took the Charmander from him. In this AU, Dabi isn’t believed dead, he just ran away from home after taking his Charmander back.

Team LOV actually made Charizard X, as theories say it’s a man-made mega evolution form and I think that’s cool, and Dabi forced it onto his partner. Charizard ended up nearly killing Dabi with it’s sudden strength.

Kurogiri is a Shadow Marshadow forcibly possessing Oboro Shirakumo, he has no Pokemon of his own, nor does he battle. Shirakumo isn’t dead in this AU, just possessed. Kinda in a coma?

After Twice dies, Toga takes care of his Hydreigeon. The egg he gave her hatches after he’s dead, and it’s a Zorua. She tells it all about Twice, refering to him as the Zorua’s daddy because I just think that’s cute leave me be. Hydreigeon is a VERY good parental Pokemon to Zorua.

With the loss of Muscular, Mr. Compress is promoted to admin and given a Hoopa, which he chooses to confine to it’s smaller, weaker form. It’s the only legendary Pokemon that Team LOV has that isn’t a Shadow Pokemon.

#Long post #Under the cut but it is also the LONGEST post I've ever made so #My Hero Academia #Boku no hero academia #BNHA #MHA #Pokemon AU #Pokemon #MAIN TAGS Y'ALL I'M IN THE MAIN TAGS #I litterally #LITTERALLY #rewrote the entire plot though a Pokemon lense #As of posting this I've been working for 9 hours straight #So that's fun #Please knwo despite getting all this out there there is still more I want to talk about #So ask me stuff #Like why certain characters have certain pokemone #Or what Pokemon certain characters have that I didn't mention directly #Who's a gym leader VS Eliet four and such #More Pokemon personalities...#Yo Shounen almost always blends very wlle with Pokemon like story wise #It's the power of friendship my dude #I was trying very hard not to use anyone's hero names this entire post #So if I did I'm sorry I'm genuienlly very tired #Please like this post

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botwstoriesandsuch · 3 years

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Whoopsie King Rhoam’s a dick but I gotta flesh him out so

Read Part 1 here!

Part 2

If you’re on mobile, and tumblr hates this post, follow along on this google doc!

Rules/overview this rewrite in the beginning of Part 1

‘sup ya beautiful bastards it’s time to gush about the process of storytelling and writing as we fix up the fix it fic so let’s just jump into it

- - - - - - - - - -

A quick recap of Part 2, and I swear this recap is faster than the recap last time: Chapter 3 of Age of Calamity opens with a more substantial scene the beginning points of Revali’s character, and contrasting the old position that Link and eggbot have, so that their later changes in this chapter (well, at least for Link in this chapter) are more pronounced. We edited a bit of the dialogue to make Revali’s intentions make a bit more sense, while also putting some little foreshadowing points with some camera tricks for the Hollow Champions. The Hollow Champions can now speak, which means their potential for being used to bring out the flaws or bitter aspects of each character is more readily available further into the story. And of course, we’ve introduced the main antagonist of Astor, and coupling his presence and dynamic with Zelda’s insecurities. While his intentions of needing Zelda for something is clear, his motivations and backstory remain a mystery as of yet, the only true clue we have so far being some sort of connection to eggbot.

I didn’t get any big asks or comments about Part 2 so I’m going to assume that it was mostly well received (although I will note that I promise I’m going to flesh out Revali to be more than he has been presented as of yet, this is just the very very start of this development don’t you worry your feather loving butts) that being said, you should totally critique me or give me your opinions or comments. I’d love to hear them! Although, keep in mind that I am restraining my rewrite to the guidelines already said, so don’t get mad at me for not killing off all the Champions or something. Thaaat’s a rewrite for another time. So yeah if you reblog you get a little kiss from me because believe it or not I spent a lot of time trying to rewrite an entire storyline while keeping it’s tone and integrity intact. So thanks much <3

Okie dokie then chaps! Let us finally delve into Urbosa lesbian vibes, a zest of Zelink angst, rants about pacing, and a couple tablespoons of Astor backstory, all starting in the latest stage of Chapter 3: The Road Home, Besieged

So right of the bat, big problem here. This Chapter follows directly after the events of Korok Forest, so you assume that maybe “The Road Home” refers to the team, going home, back to the castle, to tell King Rhoam what’s up. But...that’s apparently not the case.

So this entire stage, firstly, it brushes over any scenes where Zelda, Link or the other Champions might talk to King Rhoam about the Master Sword, or the Deku Tree, or...hmm what else happened last stage that might be interesting to see—oh yEAH HOW ABOUT that mysterious magic guy that tried to kill Zelda and was going off about the future and stuff?? That guy that wielded a bunch of dark magic and malice looking stuff and, uh yeah, you’d think it might be important and interesting to see the King’s take on was is essentially a wanted traitor to the crown who may or may not be leading the entire movement for the Calamity’s uprising. But nope, no one asks questions, no one says anything or has interesting conversations that reveal stuff about the plot. It's just….just all about Zelda and ooooOOooo she can’t awaken her powers oh no what’s a gal to do!

And I do mean that quite literally, this entire stage is all centered around two scenes with Zelda. The first, an admittedly narratively important scene of Zelda having a quick flashback about eggbot after he sings her a song, but it lasts for five seconds. And the second, being a pep talk with Urbosa as Link eats rocks in the background. For the majority of this stage, it’s all focused on Zelda, and pacing wise, it does virtually nothing to progress the narrative/plot forward.

And on paper, there’s nothing wrong with that! Hell, people read entire fanfictions dedicated to character development and relationships that have absolutely no external plot. Having a scene dedicated to just character development is completely fine, it’s something that’s pretty common and even encouraged to an extent. The problem arises when you remember that this is a story being told through the medium of a video game.

Now, I am going to try and breeze by this because, similar to Age of Calamity, I have to also construct this post with pacing that keeps my audience engaged, while progressing with my core narrative and story. But I highly encourage you to watch through this video by hello future me (On Writing: How to Master Pacing) because a lot of what I know about this I’ve picked up from his videos, and if you’re a writer or just someone who thinks storytelling is cool, it’s a great guide to the art of pacing.

youtube

Anyhow. There are two levels of pacing within a story. There is the small type of pacing, like for the structure of a singular scene. And there is the pacing of the overall core narrative, how the larger beats of the entire story is revealed. Good pacing for your core narrative is about whether the reader feels like they are getting closer to the big thing, the big climax or answer or promise of satisfaction. The smaller type of pacing, for your singular scenes, focuses on that timing between how close you get to achieving new information, this refers to your slow and fast pacing, tension versus rapid action.

So, overall the rule of thumb is: the amount of time you invest into your smaller scenes, even put together, that must correlate with a big enough payoff in the core narrative. That’s what good pacing is. (And that’s why people make stuff like the Three Act Structure to help visualize this pacing process but obviously other forms of pacing guidelines exist like the Five and Seven Act Structures but that’s too complicated for this Nintendo Game anyhow that’s just some educational flavour for ya to impress your highschool English Teacher I guess)

So knowing that, the question now is: Does The Road Home, Besieged contribute good pacing to the story? This is going to be my excuse for changing up other later scenes in the game, so when I mention pacing and narrative again, remember this. The time spent playing for thirty minutes, minimum, in the game, to only be paid off by two lines of character development isn’t good pacing. So the answer is “no.”

Delving as long an amount of time as thirty minutes, means that pretty much everytime a stage is complete, you must introduce new substantial progress to your story. A game like this just doesn’t have time to waste it’s valuable cutscenes on character development alone. There’s an even further wrench in the issue when you consider you also need to account for sidequests, so you could really be forcing your player to go through hours of gametime before you introduce new details in the story.

Obviously it’s not always gonna be cut and dry like that—sometimes you have to account for how enjoyable the gameplay is, and sometimes the amount of character development offsets any lack of narrative development—but for the majority of stages I’m gonna change, they all suffer this pacing problem. In a game that's entire story hinges on these cutscenes, bad pacing is just something it doesn’t have time for.

Anyhow anyhow anyhow, I got to get my dose of serotonin by talking about pacing writing structure and stuff and blah blah, so now I shall grace you with the changes that address these problems that would theoretically lead to vast improvement. I gave you this reasoning and backstory to writing because I am making hella changes, to hopefully make the experience more “poggers,” which is something the cool kids say these days if you didn’t know.

Firstly, timeline wise this stage is gonna take place directly after the Korok Forest battle. The gang is returning home from the battle, with Link, the new wielder of the Master Sword, along with this new information regarding a certain Astor character.

We open the same way it does in game, focusing on Zelda’s face, before the frame is suddenly blocked by the pommel of the Master Sword. A wordless way to express how the sudden revelation of Link being the hero has forced its way into Zelda’s mind, great use of camera Koei Tecmo 10 outta 10

Now I don’t want to immediately jump into Zelda’s “oh poor me I can’t awaken my powers” dialogue because—and this is something even Breath of the Wild is guilty of—This game seems to forget that there are other characters besides Zelda. It’s marketed towards kids, sure, but I assure you that kids playing this game have a longer attention span than 2 minutes. You don’t need to keep reminding the audience every single scene about how Zelda is anxious about her powers. It gets redundant, you waste the audience’s time, and therefore you waste your own time, because you could have been using that precious screen time to develop some other thing further. So anyhow, goes a bit like this.

Zelda’s walking, the Master Sword comes into frame. Zelda looks down at the ground but keeps walking, but you can tell from her expression that she’s troubled. Don’t need to waste time on dialogue for her here, show don’t tell, we need to make the most of the scene here. Camera is still on Zelda, but the focus blurs shifts from Zelda to the Champions behind her. We can start with Mipha, I don’t have my heart set heavily on any specific dialogue, but I want her to say something along the lines of “how proud she is of Link” and what an honor it will be to fight by the side of not just her dear friend, but also someone selected by the goddess to be the hero. Subtextually, I want her to say this in a tone that suggests that she doubts the need for her to be here at all. She’ll say something like “He’s grown so…” glances up at Link who's just walking ahead, “...so much stronger than I could ever imagine. [Something Something] His power has grown so much over the course of a few days, more than I have achieved in a lifetime.” She looks down, but she still has a sweet smile.

Now I’m doing this because I want to develop further this plot line of “getting stronger” that Age of Calamity sets up but never does anything with. Remember how in Chapter 2, Mipha asks Daruk to train with her to get stronger? I really like the possibilities of this arc with Mipha as it can not only parallel with her feelings for Link, but also make her character better as an individual. Mipha wants to get stronger so that she can protect Link, but now she thinks that Link’s already growing stronger to an extent that she might not be needed. She’s not jealous of Link, nor does she wish him to be weaker, she simply wants to be more than she already is. This is literally echoing her words that she left her father, about how leaving the Domain and experiencing new challenges would be “good for her.” So I wanna run with it. The dialogue here establishes Mipha’s motivation to grow stronger, almost equivalent to a rivalry of sorts.

So after Mipha says this, Revali scoffs and butts in. Again, I’m not too set on any particular dialogue here, just something like “Hmph! Well, I don’t know about that. Seems to me all that’s happened is some magic sword gave the knight an ego boost. Blade’s only as strong as the little Hylian who wields it, and—based on my own extended experience and professional observations of course—I’ve yet to see this ‘stronger’ boy that you speak of.” Another camera pan to Link a ways in front of them. “If you ask me, hero or no, that knight is still exactly the same as I first met him.”

Revali places a wing on his chest dramatically. “Perhaps if you’re truly keen on seeing growth in skill and strength, Mipha, you’d do well to—”

“Flattering of an offer as that may be, Revali,” Urbosa interjects, “But I think Mipha might find it difficult to observe growth from one of the shortest Rito in Hyrule.”

Cue laughter from others or snickering or something. We just need some banter to add a bit more flavour to the characters. Revali can do a little huff and cross his wings or flip his scarf or something. But then Urbosa continues.

“Although...he is right about one thing.” Urbosa looks straight ahead. “A sword does not alter a hand, just as strength does not alter character.” She puts a hand on Mipha’s shoulder. “Grow as he might, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the same boy as he’s always been.” Urbosa looks up in the direction of Zelda. “Whether you realize it or not.”

Ok so, scene’s not done yet, BUT quick gush on the dialogue flow here. I’m trying to establish parallels in these character perspectives based on the flow of conversation. We started with Mipha who, like I said, wished to grow stronger along with Link. This flows into Revali who also has a similar parallel as he wishes to grow above Link’s shadow. But the distinction between Mipha and Revali is that Mipha think’s Link’s strength is earned, and Revali thinks he cheated, gaining authority through a magic sword, and not through merit and skill. Thus, leading to Revali’s perspective of Link being exactly the same as he’s always been, he believes the sword doesn’t change anything. Urbosa then speaks, because she thinks exactly the same thing. However, her distinction is that Link is the same as he’s always been: a determined young boy earned his place and cares for his friends. Then she looks to Zelda who, as we know, will develop a perspective that contradicts this. So you get it? This scene is like 20 seconds long but it already mirrors nearly all the character parallels and perspective, that’s why the flow of dialogue is important. And I know half of you probably think these kinds of details are a stretch but I promise you it’s not, just look at any movie or show ever and I guarantee you can find similar stuff there too. Ok moving on moving on—

Urbosa looks up at Zelda, comments her, “He’s the same boy, whether you realize it or not” piece of dialogue. Camera shifts back to Zelda and Link, who, idk if I mentioned this, but in the scene there’s enough distance between the Champions and Zelda and Link that the Champions can speak without the other two listening. So they didn’t hear any of this.

So the camera is back on Zelda, and now we can get her “How can I…..If I am unable to awaken my inner power….” line. Eggbot senses her sadness, does his little cheer up dance, Zelda gets a flashback.

One small change I wanna make to this flashback: Instead of just a baby Zelda going “nighty-night” I want there to ALSO be a figure in the background behind eggbot wearing a silk royal blue dress. And said woman has blonde hair and she’s by the table back there. We don’t have to show her face or anything because Nintendo hates that. Just place the woman somewhere in the back somewhere

Also possibly you could add the shadow of another figure by the doorway, maybe? It would serve good continuity purposes for the plot points that I’m telling, but that part is not as necessary. I just need at least the woman there.

Then Zelda is like “I remember you” to eggbot and all that and blah blah… Now, instead of Impa offscreen just yelling “enemy ahead!” I just want it to be a full on ambush. Not like a major one, but just enough where the group is surprised a bit. Maybe on the cliffs above, a lizalfo throws a boomerang, or a bokoblin shoots and arrow, or even just throws a rock. I don’t really care. I just need this to happen because…

As soon as this danger is presented, Link turns around to grab Zelda’s hand and they start running again. And he can like use his body to try and shield her a bit, I need it to parallel how he acted during Chapter 1 on the road to the Royal Tech Lab. However, this parallel has one important distinction because…

Zelda rips he grip from Link’s after a moment. “You don’t need to coddle me!” She says, or something along those lines. “Y-You...You’re the hero aren’t you! I’m perfectly fine, you don’t need to spend your precious time playing babysitter to me.” In the distance, a horde of monsters is beginning to form. Zelda looks between the monsters and Link’s Master Sword, her expression unreadable. “Well? Just...just go do what you need to do.” Link hesitates, looking between her, and the approaching monsters. Zelda speaks more sternly now, “Go!” So Link, not one to disregard an order from the Princess, gives one last look to Zelda before setting off towards the monsters. Maybe Zelda can take a deep breath to steady herself after he leaves, but as soon as Link unsheathes his sword, the metal glistening in the setting sunlight, it cuts immediately to gameplay. Start battle.

For essays’ purposes this is the part where I explain why this is better than the original. So here’s my reasoning:

Uhhh, it just is. :3

Ok but seriously, I’ve already talked a tone about why the pacing and dialogue flow is better than the original. But also this scene doesn’t just say “Ooo Zelda is sad about her powers,” because that’s not interesting. Like I said, it’s redundant information. What is interesting is see how characters deal with that internal conflict and how it affects their relationships. AKA Zelda’s relationship with Link, who now basically embodies the success that she’s been working so hard towards but never achieved, is deteriorating a bit. I wanted to get that sense of the Zelda that we see in Breath of the Wild because all things considered, they should be roughly the same character.

So that’s that, you fight the battle, the Hollows show up a bit, so insert “dark evil Champion” dialogue because if you’re gonna use the evil clone trope might as well use it to the fullest. Then you fight the Talus and hurray horrah the day is saved.

Then we have that iconic Urbosa motherly pep talk to Zelda as Link eats rocks in the background. Now honestly, I’m not that big a fan of the first half of the dialogue, so I wanna change it into something more interesting. But the rest of the beats and camera work go roughly the same.

Zelda: “Link is...so much stronger now”

Urbosa: “‘And yet I have not.’ I presume that’s what you’re thinking, hmm?”

Zelda: “Well it’s true, isn’t it? More and more, monsters have been appearing around Hyrule. It is a sign that the Calamity draws near. So...there isn’t much time. And still, no sign of my power awakening.”

Urbosa: *sighs* “Little bird…”

Zelda cuts her off, in an attempt to change topics: “Why do you call me that?”

Urbosa: “Hmm?”

Zelda: “Little bird...I feel like I’ve heard it before. Why do you call me that?”

Urbosa, after a beat looks off in the distance or something: “A long time ago, my dear friend would call me to the palace, or perhaps invite herself over to mine, [she chuckles] ...and she would talk with me all day, and ask me to gaze upon her little bird with her. Her dearest daughter...a princess”

Zelda: “You mean my…”

Urbosa just smiles with a soft nod: “Back then, times were a bit different. The destiny that you have was still upon the Queen, who worked day and night to refine her powers and fulfill her destiny. In just a few short years, I went from being friends with a Queen, to friends with the destined sealer of the Calamity.”

Another pause, before Urbosa speaks again: “But...she was still the same woman I had grown with. Still the same loving mother who spoke about her little bird with joy. She had not changed one bit.”

Urbosa: “Even when your mother passed, her loving smile was there until the very end. She always loved you—believed in you, Zelda. She had great hope, great faith that her daughter would grow into the beacon of light Hyrule needed. That even with her gone, you would spread your wings and fly, because you were just that amazing to her.” *Urbosa puts her hands on Zelda’s shoulders.*

Urbosa: “Destiny did not change your mother’s love, just as it does not change Link’s courage, or your value.” *the camera can pan to Link eating rocks now*

Urbosa looks directly at Zelda now: “Look how hard we’ve all worked to get this far, how hard you have worked to get here. While we may grow in strength, in that regard, we’re all one in the same.”

Zelda: “...I….well…”

Urbosa: “What did the Great Deku Tree say? There is no need to fret princess.”

Urbosa: “Our faith, Link’s, your mother’s, it’s all as strong as ever. And everyday, with every moment that you travel towards your destiny, it just grows. It is always with us. So believe in that, have hope, yet, little bird.” *Eggbot can scurry up and make cute noises here next to Zelda*

Urbosa: “I know, you are where you need to be. You must accept that too.”

Zelda: “...”

Zelda gives a solemn nod: “Thank you, Urbosa.”

So that’s that scene! Don’t let the length fool you, it’s technically even shorter than the original scene in Age of Calamity. So why is it, in my opinion, better? Because for one, we actually get an insight into Zelda’s mom and Urbosa’s relationship, something that was PROMISED To us but never given and I’m still a bit salty about it. Anyhow, in addition to just getting some lore details, that relationship between the Queen and Urbosa is important for this scene because, just like Urbosa spells out, it’s in direct parallel with Link and Zelda.

Before the Queen suddenly got sick and died, she was destined to seal the Calamity. But she didn’t let that destiny change her, she was still the same loving mother to the end. Now that is something that Zelda needs to realize about Link, as his newly acquired destiny doesn’t change who he was before, the knight who cares for her and wishes to protect her. Zelda needs to realize he’s the same and that she can still trust and confide in him. Hence, that’s why this mom backstory is in this scene and not somewhere else, because it serves to the narrative but also more impactfully to the character development.

The dialogue could probably be polished a bit more but come on, not half bad for an improvement yeah? So that concludes Chapter—

SIKE we’re not done yet. We still have to move into the entire point of this stage, the road home, to the castle.

So, badabing badaboom, I’m adding an entirely new scene from scratch right here at the end, because it is VITAL that I set up something new about the story, as a sort of clincher. So anyhow

Zelda is alone with her father, let’s set it in the royal library (Intact, not ruined, of course) because we don’t see enough of that location and it’s really cool. So Zelda is briefing her dad about the events in Korok Forest and on the journey back home. I know I always gush about cinematography but it can’t be fully appreciated since I’m….writing,,, this, BUT I think it might be fun if the side shots of Zelda have her background be some bookcases of the library, maybe half bookcases and the other half the ornate walls. Then the background for the King’s shots is the full symmetry of the elegant staircases.

[And if you needed the specific reasoning for that, because it makes camera shots more fun. Like when Zelda says something that aids in her scholarly side, the camera angle can change slightly where the bookcases take up more of the frame, and then when the King’s will takes more power, then the book cases can be angled a bit more out of frame. And then the symmetry of the King by the staircase is a way to show his higher power dynamic to her, and contrasts well with Zelda’s shots since the bookcases are dark and the stone is lighter, so on a meta level is also makes it easier for the audience to understand where they are. Shot composition is fun ok, and that’s not even getting into color theory (Thinks about Baby Driver and LaLaLand....even videogames like Undertale and Hollow Knight have such wonderful shot composition and use of color theory hhhhh love it)]

Ok so Zelda’s briefing the King in the library, she’s standing while he’s sitting at a desk. There’s maybe two or four Royal Guards on the staircase entrances, but for the most part, they’re alone. You can tell that this meeting between them has been going on for a bit now, as from Zelda’s dialogue, she’s retelling events midway through the story.

The King is flipping through some paperwork, not really looking Zelda in the eyes. She continues speaking.

“And so...with the malice cleared and the monsters being dealt with, Link and I made our way into the heart of Korok Forest.”

The King hums a response, flipping through another page. “And this is when Link pulled out the Sword that Seals the Darkness then, I presume.”

Zelda paused, as of thinking of how to phrase her next words. “Not exactly. I...we both encountered someone beforehand. A man, with a pale face, and dark hair and robes, and he had the power to control malice, using a strange object in one of his hands.”

Rhoam stops writing in his journal or whatever. He doesn’t look up, but the sudden stop he makes is obvious. Zelda notices, but continues.

“He talked about...the Calamity, and my birthday...destiny, and the future….I’m not quite sure I can remember his intentions word for word. But he did introduce himself as—“

“Astor…” Zelda and the King say simultaneously. The King has fully perked up now, looking at Zelda. She’s pleased to see a reaction from him. The King rises from his chair, and starts pacing a bit, stroking his beard thoughtfully like the asshole he is.

“So you know him then? This Astor man? Who is he, father? What does he—“

“Were you alright? Did he hurt you, or mention anything else?”

Zelda pauses for a moment before shaking her head, as if the concern he was expressing was uncharacteristic. “N-No. No, I’m fine, and Link was there. During the battle, as Link fought him off, that was when the sword was pulled. Then Astor fled, or...” Zelda pauses for a beat, “retreated...he expressed his wish to speak with me again.”

Another beat of silence, as Rhoam gets up, hands clasped behind his back. “He used to work at this very palace.” The shot is now directly on Rhoams back, as he faces a bookcase, although it’s clear that he’s just deep in thought, and not just staring at books. Rhoam is in third column of the shot (he’s to the right, not in the center)

“A trusted advisor. Someone gifted with foresight, who many years ago, had first predicted the coming Calamity.” Cut to shot of Rhoams face, the camera being by the bookcase, so that we see Rhoam’s expression and Zelda’s.

“In truth, I thought him dead. For the last time I saw him alive—truly, truly alive—was ten long years ago...” The shot goes back to the original establishing shot, of Rhoam facing away from the camera, towards the bookcase, he’s standing to the right, hands still clasped behind his back.

“...when your mother still graced this earth.”

From left frame, a younger Astor walks up and stands beside Rhoam. He runs his fingers along the books. Rhoam looks to his left, as if he is seeing Astor. Camera cuts to Astor’s right, as if looking at him from Rhoam’s perspective. He continues brushing his fingers against the spines of the books, before he finds the one he’s looking for. Pulling it out, he opens the book, flipping through its pages, before giving a genuine smile. Cut back to wide angle behind them. With the book, Astor starts walking back out left frame, but this time the camera follows him. Filter fade to a memory tint as the camera pans right to left

[when the camera fades fully into the Astor memory, the figures can have that silhouetted effect like you see in botw. Cause I know Nintendo hates making new character models for some reason.]

So if it wasn’t clear already, even though the memory filter doesn’t come immediately, Astor isn’t actually there, but it’s just a flashback. I’m a sucker for merges, which is something this game and botw NEVER do which bugs me because there are so many creative ways you could introduce flashbacks without just doing “ooOooOoo fade to sepia filter and then oooOOooOOO we fade back to reality and no time has passed.” I apologize if my explanation of the camera doesn’t make sense as it’s hard without much visual aid, but hopefully it makes sense so far. Anyhow! Let’s continue.

We’re now fully immersed in this memory, but King Rhoam’s voice still narrates overhead.

Astor brings the book to one of the desks in the library, where a woman sits writing something onto paper. News flash, it’s the queen. Astor hands her the book and starts speaking about something, although you can tell the tone of their conversation is light, almost akin to Zelda rambling about Sheikah Technology. The Queen laughs about something unheard, as Astor continues ranting about something, his hands moving to like a professor giving a lecture.

Rhoam Narration: “When he had first predicted the Calamity, things were much more hopefully for our kingdom. As although his foresight granted him only glimpses and fragments of a future, he was almost certain that with the Guardians, and the strength of your mother’s power, our victory would be absolute.”

Scene changes to the Queen walking down a corridor, Astor is leaning against the wall by a window.

Rhoam Narration: “He and your mother would often work together tirelessly to study the ancient arts, to make the most of the powers given by the goddess.”

The Queen has walked up to Astor now. She crouches down and gestures to her left, the side not yet seen by the camera.

Rhoam Narration: “In fact…”

The camera changes to focus to where the Queen was looking towards—a young Zelda, crouched behind her mother’s dress, stares up at Astor.

Rhoam Narration: “I would not be surprised if you found within yourself, a memory of such.”

I would prefer if you could see the expressions of Astor (giving Zelda not a smile, but not really a frown or anything rude either) and young Zelda. But I guess it can also just be silhouettes too cause again, Nintendo hates giving us younger character models outside of first person POV stuff. Anyhow.

The scene fades, the light from the window dimming as everything darkens.

Rhoam Narration: “I often times wish we could go back to such a time, when victory and pride swam in every corner of this castle. But of course…”

The scene brightens again, although not as bright as before. It’s the exact same corridor with the large window, but now it’s raining. A young Zelda stands alone in front of it, looking outside.

Rhoam Narration: “Such a time did end…”

We now cut to a new scene, King Rhoam is walking down a hall, the camera’s perspective is of a bird’s eye view, like we’re peering in from outside a window. We can see the shadow of Astor chasing after him, as he starts speaking frantically about something, not quite, but almost to the point of shouts.

Rhoam Narration: “After your mother died, the visions of the future shifted drastically. No longer was there glimpses of rolling fields and shimmering skies, but instead, of rubble, red earth, and death.”

You can now more clearly hear the words coming out of Astor’s mouth. He is telling something about failure, and souls, and the Calamity to the King’s ear. He’s still walking forward.

Rhoam Narration: “He was adamant that our demise was now coming faster than ever, and that without your mother, we were doomed. That even you, should you take up your mother’s mantle, could not save everyone.”

Astor: “I’m telling you Your Majesty, if you go down this path, there is no going back.”

King Rhoam: “There is no other choice, we are moving forward.”

Astor: “I don’t think you quite understand the true gravity of the fate you’re choosing for yourself. It is a guarantee that you, me, and countless others shall die.”

King Rhoam: “I don’t want to hear it.”

Astor: “And of course, there are a multitude of possibilities, but the end result is the same.”

Astor: “Do you have a preference, perhaps? Crushed by rubble? Suffocation under ash?”

Rhoam’s tone is deadly: “Stop.”

Astor: “I’ve seen fire too. I’m not yet quite sure the exact circumstances that lead to flame appearing and spreading so quickly, but rest assured that if you—”

King Rhoam: “Stop.”

Astor: “If you saddle someone else with this duty I am absolutely certain that you and I will—”

King Rhoam, voice not shouting, but still with a booming intensity: “Just like you were so certain of our victory 10 years ago?”

Astor’s face darkens. He’s silent for a moment, collecting his words before practically spitting the first articulation: “...That, future, was the one that would come to be if Her Majesty was alive. If you’re so unsatisfied with my departed wisdom you can go ahead and flail around with destiny alone. You think I choose for these events to happen? You think I lie when I saw I want what’s best for this kingdom—”

King Rhoam: “What’s best for you.”

An ugly pause.

King Rhoam: “It is decided, Seer. It’s time you accept this. My wife is dead. That is the truth. Thus the role of sealing the Calamity shall pass to my daughter. She will work to awaken her own ability. It will be her duty to save us.”

Astor half laughs: “A child?! Surely you don’t need the supernatural to see how foolish that is.”

King Rhoam’s voice is even more stern: “You are living proof that the future is not absolute. Therefore I...must place all belief in her ability.”

The King walks away, leaving Astor alone. Weirdly, he smiles. Perhaps to mask some other emotion.

After another moment, Astor yells to the King: “I’ll fix this! Alone if I must!” He’s chuckling as he shakes his head. “Your useless faith may cost many lives, but even so mark my words, I will fix this.”

The King looks back, but says nothing, his expression unreadable. He continues forward, leaving Astor alone chuckling, or perhaps something in between chuckling and crying to himself.

Rhoam Narration: “We haven’t spoken since that day. I simply left him to his devices. If he was so determined to find another way to stop the Calamity, then who was I to stop him. I doubt my word could have swayed his mind regardless.

We’re now looking at a room, the camera is just by the doorway, looking at an office, circular and domed. It’s stone brick walls are covered in parchment and ripped books, covered in symbols and frantic writing. An old Sheikah tapestry hangs crudely on the left wall, and the window on the right seems to tint grey, or even a deepest crimson. Centerframe, is the back of Astor, robe hanging just above the paper ridden floor. He is flipping through something on his desk.

Rhoam Narration: “Fixated as he was on the perfect future that you mother might have led, I still had hope that with time, he might still assist you with your destiny one day.”

The camera slowly comes closer to Astor. We can see more clearly the type of stuff that sprawls the papers and books and diagrams across his office. Some depict stars and constellations, and even a few notes on Ancient Technology, although in a noticeably cleaner font. However, as the camera moves close and closer to Astor, the papers and books depict only one clear topic: the aura of death that comes only with necromancy.

Rhoam Narration: “It seems…”

Astor finally reacts to whatever he was doing on his desk. You don’t see his eyes, but as he fully turns around to face the camera, you see his smile, along with him holding a dark orb of unknown energy. It hovers in his hand.

Rhoam Narration: “...I was mistaken.”

The camera cuts to a wide angle, looking at Astor from behind a stack of books on his desk. The stack of books on Astor’s desk brighten in color (from the memory dull filter), until the scene fully fades back into the Royal Library. The camera is now focused on a similar stack of books on the desk behind Zelda, where Rhoam was working before.

Zelda is still looking at her father, who is still turned away. Now, he turns back around to face her.

“He had disappeared completely one day, so it was my understanding that whatever he was working on killed him. However, if he is truly back as you say…”

Rhoam walks closer to Zelda, close enough that he might have put a hand on her shoulder, but his arms stay behind his back.

“It is in your utmost interest to prove him wrong. I know not what he plans on doing, but it would be wise to stop him before he does.”

Rhoam turns away now, pacing back to the otherside of the desk. “But, your more important priority is unlocking your powers, understand? Now more than ever, is not the time to get distracted.”

Zelda, taking this all in, takes a deep breath. She then nods at him. “I understand...Father.”

After a moment, the King makes a motion as if to dismiss her. She starts to walk away, her thoughts churning in her head, heart thumping to the same beat as her echoing footsteps. Suddenly, Rhoam calls,

“Zelda.” It’s not a question, but the tone is asked like one.

She turns back, looking at him, expectantly. Rhoam only stares at her, an uncharacteristic moment of uncertainty for him. The words he wants to form seem stuck in his throat, until finally, he lets out a quiet breathe through his nose, before simply saying:

“You must.”

Zelda can only frown, her shoulder’s slumping slightly, as she ducks her head and leaves.

- - - - - -

And that’s that! That’s the complete end of Chapter 3. So tune in next time for Chapter 4, including a new slight but important story changes, Yiga husbands, and shocking turns of events.

Edit: I forgot that posts with link’s dont show up in tag results so a rb is appreciated :p

#Hwaoc: The Kip Cut #fuck this is the biggest one yet #hwaoc #age of calamity #hwaoc rewrite #hw age of calamity #hyrule warriors age of calamity

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mistye-dawne · 7 years

Text

Finding the Words

Summary: A chance meeting while taking a break from her team sends Lucy and Laxus into unfamiliar territory as Lucy tries to find balance between catering to her team and moving forward with her own life, while Laxus fights his demons and struggles to accept that he just might be good enough to have the girl of his dreams.

FF.net

Chapter 12: Confrontation

Days had passed since Laxus and his team left Magnolia and in that time, they'd met with their client in a town located on the southern edge of Waas forest. There were rumors of a dark guild lurking in the forest attacking merchants and travelers passing through. The same thing was happening to those coming from the north end of the forest. With that information, the four easily assumed they'd find these mages in the heart of forest not too far from the road.

They spent a day traveling along the road and easily took out the guilty mages that ambushed them. However, the group felt a strange energy settle over the forest and were convinced that there was something sinister at work around them. They were compelled to investigate it before leaving.

Laxus had no trouble sniffing out whatever it was they headed toward but the moment he got close to it, they realized that they'd been caught in a misdirection spell. A powerful one. The lightning slayer felt like he'd get them a little closer each time, but then the scent would suddenly change directions before they could reach the source.

"This is getting us nowhere. We've double backed how many times now?" Evergreen inquired agitatedly.

Beyond frustrated with the situation and other things, Laxus spun on the woman with a glare that made her flinch. "Yeah, I know Ever," he growled. "Everytime I think we're close to getting out, this shit shifts around."

"I wasn't blaming you," she asserted. "I was just thinking that maybe we need to try something else since we've been stuck for so long that it'll be getting dark soon."

"By all means then, think of something," he snapped. "I've got a fucking headache." He stomped off ahead of them, beyond caring if they got separated.

Bickslow placed a hand on Ever's shoulder and she shook her head at him. "I'm good Bix. I could have said that better with tensions running so high," she confessed. "You should go check on him. He's been irate since the master called him the other night."

"We still have a few hours before it's completely dark, so Ever and I will try to look for a weak point," Freed offered. "Separating isn't an option."

"Right," Bix nodded. "I'll make sure he doesn't get too far ahead. You guys pay attention though and don't fall behind."

The two nodded and watched him catch up to Laxus. Freed wondered aloud if it had really been a wise choice for the guildmaster to inform Laxus that Jaice had not been apprehended. Ever didn't quite know how to answer. but she thought the master had to have had a good reason to bring it up while they were in the middle of a mission. She also offered the idea that maybe he had called as his grandfather rather than the guildmaster, reminding the rune mage that the call between them had been a rather long one.

Freed thought about Ever's words. The relationship between the lightning slayer and the guildmaster had slowly mended since Gildarts reinstated his status as a member, but to call them close would be an exaggeration. If anything, Laxus just respected his grandfather properly now. But maybe she was right and they had spoken about something of a more personal nature.

The fairy mage and rune mage for silent for some time after that, trying to feel a break in the spell surrounding them. Freed thought that since the spell only shifted once they got close enough to it's edge, that it was possible for there to be a rune surrounding them. If that were the case, then all he would need to do was locate a weak spot within the rules, and then rewrite it because a rune of large size could very easily have multiple weak points if it had been rushed. The remaining hours seemed to drag on until Ever and Freed felt the air change again, this time far more subtly than before that they expected Laxus and Bickslow to miss it since they'd not been looking for it.

"My hair is starting to frizz up," Ever complained.

"It's gotten humid." A heavy mist had settled over the two making it hard to see more than three feet in front of them as the sun was already low in the sky. "Fog?"

"Jaice wielded a type of mist, didn't he?" Ever asked, panic in her voice.

"Laxus! Bickslow!" Freed shouted. He'd only just realized that they'd gotten out of sight and prayed that they hadn't gotten too far, leaving the group separated. A second later, the men came into view.

"Why'd you stop?" Bickslow questioned. "You find something?"

"I don't feel the misdirection spell any longer. Instead this mist has settled in it's place."

He was right, none of them could feel the effects from before. However, when Laxus inhaled to catch the scent of something he could use to lead them back to the main road, all he could smell was the moisture in the air.

"Dammit. I can't smell anything past this mist. How are we gonna get out?"

"Well the spell changed for a reason. I also don't feel like my magic is being suppressed so I might be able to do something about the mist."

The group made a fire to give Freed a little bit of light as he and Ever worked on adjusting the spell around them.

"How's cosplayer?" Bix asked, hoping to get the lighting slayer talking since he been silent after his little outburst.

"Irritated to hell."

"Can't say I blame her. Weeks ago, she's told that she can't work solo and now she's gotta have a babysitter."

Laxus sighed and shook his head. "I don't think I helped to improve her mood any."

Bickslow eyed the blonde as he ran a hand through his hair. "Good lord, what did you say to her?"

"That I was glad to know that she was safe," he mumbled.

"What else, Laxus?" Bix prompted.

"I tried telling her that the old man is just looking out for her."

What he didn't tell his friend was that his grandfather had been speaking to Loke before he'd called him to inform him about Jaice the other night. They'd spoken at length about protecting Lucy and while both the spirit and his grandfather seemed against the idea, they were considering it simply because they didn't know what might happen to her once Jaice was near her again.

Laxus didn't want to consider the possibility of Lucy losing her memories so he decided that there would be no chance of it happening. The celestial mage might end up hating him, but if he wasn't there to help protect her he wasn't going to risk her losing everything because of her pride.

"I'm sure she knows that. But she's a mage in her own right," Bix explained.

"And a prideful woman that doesn't need anyone," he scoffed.

"Hey. Doesn't mean that she don't want someone around."

Laxus knew Bix was right. If Lucy didn't want him, she'd say so. This whole situation was just fucked up and he wanted to do nothing than just go home to her and try to make it better, not that he knew how to make things better. They continued to talk for a little longer. Lucy had finally found a new apartment and was starting to move in. Bickslow assured him that the distraction was a good thing for her. It would let her feel normal and lot like some crazed loon was possibly hunting for her.

Ever came back to sit with them as Freed made a few more adjustments to the enchantment. The lightning slayer apologized to her for snapping and she just shook her head offering her own apology. She rested with them for a little bit and asked about Lucy's new apartment. He told her that the celestial mage had found one that she was finally happy with even though it had more space than she could use up. The fairy mage joked about maybe moving in with her and Laxus said that all she had to do was ask.

The place had two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The selling point for Lucy had been the jacuzzi in the master bathroom. Evergreen was definitely going to consider asking her friend for the spare bedroom since she was getting tired of Fairy Hills.

When Freed walked over, Ever nodded at him and stood up motioning for the other two to follow. They returned to where he'd been working and she made sure they were prepared for whatever was waiting for them once the mist was cleared. The rune mage recited the incantation and the mist was lifted to reveal a small clearing surrounded by at least twenty mages. One of the mages stepped from the crowd and pulled back his hood, a smug grin on his face. His hair was black and fell over his gray eyes.

"So these are the four you've been so concerned about?" he mocked. His were held open to them as though her were extending them a warm welcome. "Well I must admit, to be able to clear the mist in such a short time and with little effort, it would seem that you all were rightfully afraid." The man narrowed his eyes at Laxus. "Leave all but the lightning mage alive. I have uses for their magic."

The man turned away and the others started attacking. Freed called out to Bickslow who moved to cover the rune mage as he began crafting another rune to give them control over the fight.

Ever leapt up and summoned her wings to hover over the group that had surrounded her. She shot them down with her fairy machine gun but was knocked out of the air by someone behind her. She managed to recover fought beside Bickslow as Freed finished writing his rune.

Laxus teleported after the man that had been speaking, cutting of his path and forcing him to jump back away from where he struck.

"You don't get to dish out orders and then walk away."

"Normally I do, but you seem to be an interesting sort and I've been rather bored since evading imprisonment by the council." Laxus furrowed his brow at the familiarity of the man's words. "I need this to end quick I have someone I need to be looking for."

"Oh? Maybe I can help when you're face first in the dirt," he taunted.

Laxus surged forward, his fist connecting with the mage's jaw. The lightning slayer showed no mercy but the mage was able to find some ground and tried to ensnare Laxus within his mist. He was easily able to teleport from it before he was physically trapped but the mage had already tapped into his mind.

"You seem to know the individual I'm looking for," he said, sounding genuinely surprised. Laxus fell to his knees and clutched his head after landing as the mage tapped into his mind. "Why don't you tell me where she is."

"Laxus!" Evergreen jumped between the men, devoid of her glasses and looked the man she now knew was Jaice. She'd already suspected as much with the mist but his mind melding confirmed it. Jaice looked away and fled before she could gaze into his eyes that had been glowing.

"Done!" Freed shouted as he finished his rune. Any mage that continued use their magic would find it hard to breath. "Bickslow, you and Laxus get back to Magnolia now," he ordered.

"Freed and I will clean up things here. Hurry up," she added.

Bickslow knelt down beside his friend and pulled him to his feet, dragging him away from the fight. With Laxus' lightning they could be back home in no time, but Jaice had done a number on the man when he looked into his mind. Bickslow only hoped that he'd come to his senses soon so that they could get to Lucy first.

Two days later, a strange fog settled over Magnolia when the sun was peeking over the horizon as Jaice tried to find the celestial mage within. Lucy was fast asleep in her bare apartment and woke up, feeling a familiar tug on her mind. Before she came to, Horologium's gate was opened and she was taken to the spirit world.

She looked down at herself and recognized the clothing as something Virgo had once brought her. Still half asleep she watched Loke offer his hand to help her stand, a sad smile on his face. All of her spirits were there, each happy to see that she was safe but also a bit saddened. Loke would be the one to take her wrath and anger since he'd been the one that sent Horologium to get her, but they each felt a bit guilty about bringing her here to protect her.

"Loke, what's going on? Why am I here?"

The lion spirit just shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lucy. I waited as long as I could."

"Loke," she whispered, placing her hand on either side of his face and forcing him to look at her. "Waited for what?"

"Jaice just arrived to Magnolia."

He could see that she was confused and lead her over to the fountain where they watched over her on occasion. There, she looked down at the water and saw her home blanketed in the familiar mist.

"Loke, you have to take me back," she said shakily. Now was not the time to lose her cool because he;d never let her go back if she wasn't calm. "I need to warn the others."

"I'm sorry, Lucy. We can't risk that."

She spun on him and glared. It hurt that she was looking at him like that but this was what had been agreed upon. They were doing what they could to protect their mage, consequences be damned. "Loke, take me back this instant," she fumed.

"You're as obnoxious as ever, girl," came a familiar voice.

Lucy turned around to see Aquarius on the other side of the fountain, a rare gentle smile gracing her face. "Aquarius," she sputtered.

"You have to stay here until this passes," she commanded bluntly.

Lucy tried to argue but the sad look in the water spirit's eyes made her think of the day she broke her key. She walked over to the spirit and collapsed, tears streaming down her face. She'd missed the spirit so much and if Aquarius was honest, she missed Lucy as well. But now was not the time for an emotional reunion. She explained to Lucy that bringing her to the spirit world had been her idea in the first place. She told her that if she wanted to be mad at or hate anyone, that it needed to be her.

Lucy pleaded her case to Aquarius. She needed to be there to fight with her family if it came to that. She didn't need to be hidden away and protected. She was perfectly capable of doing that herself. The spirit just chided her and reminded her that she'd grown too prideful in wanting to do everything on her own.

The celestial mage wanted to argue but the spirit was right. Loke had been telling her so for some time now and she hadn't listened. Instead, she'd acted like a child and ignored him saying that she needed to stop relying on others to solve her problems.

Lucy looked to the pool and saw Laxus approaching Jaice, who was standing on the cliffs that overlooked the city. She looked up at Loke who looked truly regretful that he'd brought her here. She reached out to him and tried to reassure the lion with a smile before looking back at the pool.

"She's vanished. Hmm, maybe I can wait until those spirits bring her back," Jaice mumbled with a shrug.

"What do you plan to accomplish? What's all this for?" Laxus barked out.

Jaice turned to look at the lightning slayer, annoyed at his persistence. "You mean the ritual? Hell, I don't even know if it'll work. I was just curious to find out."

"Curious?" he scoffed. He couldn't believe it. This prick was going to use Lucy asa fucking sacrifice just because he was curious. "Is this a fucking game to you? Playing with people's lives?"

"I wouldn't say easing my boredom always included someone dying," he sighed. "But she's eluded me again and I'm quickly losing interest, which is never a good thing."

Laxus saw nothing but red and as he did two days prior, the lightning slayer charged at the man. Lucy was forced to sit back and helplessly watch as the two men traded blow after blow. Jaice was physically weak, but the celestial mage was afraid to see what he would do when he was pushed into desperation. And Laxus, she hardly recognized him and realized that she'd actually never seen the man when he was in dragon mode.

It reminded her of Natsu, how uncontrollable and feral he seemed when he was pushed that far. Was Laxus this way because of her? Was he fighting purely on instinct because her life had been threatened? It was clear that he wasn't going to let up until Jaice was dead. However, the mind-melding mage didn't look like he was giving up easily either.

There's was something different about him. Just as Laxus could become part of his lightning, Jaice had become part of the mist and Laxus' attacks had ceased to do anything to him. Lucy was starting to panic as Laxus started to fall behind. Jaice was able to get in a solid blow and knocked him back and he didn't immediately get up.

Laxus shouted in agony when the mind-melder gripped his mind. The mage's eyes and tattoos were glowing. The lightning mage was unable to fight against him. "I'm sorry... Lucy."

"Oh you will be," Jaice spat. "She would have died quickly, but now I'm going to make her suffer."

"Let me go back!" Lucy cried. "Please... please. Live. Laxus"

"Live. Laxus." Lucy's voice rang through his head and his eyes snapped open. That's right. He was fighting for her and she was waiting for him. He took the deepest breath he could manage, summoned his magic forth and let out that same breath with all his remaining strength before his world went black.

As soon as Magnolia was in sight, Laxus sent Bickslow to find Lucy. He had tried her old place only to find her bed empty. He didn't know where the new apartment was so he just headed to the guild praying that she'd be there.

"Bickslow?!" Mira was more than a little surprised to see the seith mage burst through the doors.

"Mira! Where's Lucy?" She opened her mouth to tell him that she hadn't been in yet but words didn't come. "Mira!" he called again. His voice was filled with desperation.

Makarov, hearing the commotion downstairs, walked from his office to investigate. He saw the seith mage leaning against the bar, out of breath. He also saw a confused Mira who couldn't seem to answer him.

"Bickslow," he called. The mage looked up at him. "Tell me everything," he demanded, narrowing his eyes.

Bickslow, remaining on the first floor, explained to the guildmaster, and everyone else sitting the hall, what had happened to them in the forest. How Jaice had organized an ambush after trapping them inside the forest. The mind-melder had tapped into Laxus' mind and learned that Lucy was here. Laxus and he had been the only ones to give chase. He assured the guild that Evergreen and Freed were fine and probably already on their way back to Magnolia.

Makarov responded by informing him that Lucy was safe, though he wouldn't say where she was. Bickslow pleaded with him, but the old man simply ignored him and asked where his grandson was. Bickslow assumed that Laxus had sought out Jaice by himself to finish this. Only then did the seith mage realize what a horrible mistake he had made leaving the lightning slayer alone..

Bickslow turned on his heel and ran outside, looking for his best friend's lightning. Seeing the strikes on the far west side of the city, he took off hoping that he could get there before this was all over. It wasn't that he wanted a piece of the action per se, but they had no idea how to protect themselves from Jaice's mind-melding. The only way they could prevent him from even attempting to use it was keeping him on the defense.

He ran past Natsu who was shocked to see him and called back to the fire slayer to follow him. Picking up on the urgency in Bickslow's voice, he ran after him. When the two reach where Bix had seen the lightning, they find both men collapsed and unconscious. The seith knelt beside Laxus and rolled him to his back. He was pretty beat up but Jaice looked ten times worse. Seconds after Bix looked over the lightning slayer, Lucy appeared.

"Bickslow!" she called and ran to kneel opposite of him.

She cradled his face between her hands and leaned over him, pressing her forehead to his. She felt Bickslow lean over and rest his head against her back as he let out a shaky breath.

"You're okay," he sighed. "Where the hell were you? Master wouldn't tell me?"

"I was taken to the spirit world," she admitted sadly.

"Did anyone know?"

"I can only assume that both Laxus and his grandfather knew," she answered.

Loke would never have brought her there without seeking advice from the guildmaster. And if he did go to the master, then she knew that he would have told Laxus. Had he given Loke the okay to just take her while he fought to protect her?

"If he knew, then why would he send me to find you?" Bix choked out.

His weight left her back and she say up to look at him. Why would Laxus fight alone if he knew that she was already safe. Her eyes grew wide and filled with tears as she looked back down to her unconscious boyfriend. She wanted to be upset with him for sending her away but knowing that he'd fought alone to protect his best friend as well, knowing the risk.

"Bix," she sobbed. "What if he did something to him?"

He reached over and wrapped his arms around her as tightly as possible, given how they were sitting. "Shhh. He's gonna be okay. He's just a little beat up is. Everything's alright now." She wanted to believe him but she just had too many questions.

"Lucy!" The two looked behind the celestial mage to see Wendy run past Natsu and directly to them. Lucy hadn't even realized that he had been there.

The girl knelt beside Lucy and made sure that they could move him to the guild. He had several fractured bones and she could definitely tell that there was some brain damage, but she couldn't say that. Looking at both the seith and celestial mages, she tried to think of what she could do to help them. They were grief-stricken and lost in their heads with uncertainty and self-doubt. They needed something to keep them grounded and focused on the now.

She turned to Natsu who was hovering over the other mage.

"Natsu, is he alive?" she inquired.

"Yeah. He's in bad shape but he'll live." Laxus had done a number on him but it was clear that he was still alive. Natsu's instincts raged and he had half a mind to take the mage to finish him off, but that wasn't going to help anyone.

"Good," she acknowledged and nodded. "I need you to get Laxus back to the infirmary at the guild. He's fine to move, just be careful please. And send for Porlyuscia when you get there." She stood up, holding Lucy close and stepped aside for him. She thought the blonde might fight her but the woman was limp and allowed herself to be moved while clinging to the healer.

Wendy watched the fire slayer carry Laxus away and then turned back to the seith mage. They needed to get Jaice back to the guild as well, but she wasn't going to risk anyone touching him and falling under his influence. She sat Lucy back down and asked for Bickslow to follow her. She explained that she was going to heal him just enough to be conscious and able to move.

Without needing an explanation, Bickslow agreed to go along with her plan. She would heal him and he would use his figure eyes to bring the man back to the guild without ever having to come into contact with him. While doing so, he'd be able to see into his very being and see if there was something he could possibly glean from the man.

Wendy felt ill at the idea of healing this man but they needed this man alive just in case he had done something to Laxus. When he opened his eyes, Bickslow removed his visor and looked down, reaching for control. When he had it, he lead the mage back to the guild with Wendy and Lucy following just behind her. Both prayed that nothing serious had happened to the lightning mage or there would be hell to pay.

#ficsforvera #ftfanfics #laxlu #Laxus Dreyar #lucy heartfilia #fairy tail fanfiction #fairy tail #mistye-writes #finding the words #multichapter

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