Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction / Starcraft Fan Fiction / Batman Beyond Fan Fiction ❯ Tassadar's Legacy: Rebirth ❯ Interrogations Burst Bubbles ( Chapter 3 )

Silence seemed to overtake the room, until Sheik asked, “Do you have any questions?” I answered, “I do have a few…” Sheik and Aunt Beast leaned forward, ready to talk. I opened my mouth and began…

 

“Where am I?” Sheik answered, “You are currently in my secret abode, the Sheikah Fortress, on the planet of Hyrule.” I nodded. Some dream this is turning out to be. I asked next, “How did I get here?” Sheik answered, “I rescued you.” At my frown he asked, “You don't remember?” Frowning more, I suddenly remembered flashes of last night. The storm… no one home… the power's out… van gone… they left me… and glowing red eyes…

 

Paling considerably, I stared at them wide eyed and whispered, “This… this isn't a dream?” Both of them shook their heads. I suddenly felt light headed and put my head in my hands, bracing my elbows on the table. Sheik was around the table in a flash with his arms around me. I don't know why but I suddenly felt a lot better. Maybe there's something about him that is just healing? Privilege of being a Princess I guess. Then it struck me that Princess Zelda is holding me, and this isn't a dream, and holy cow, reality and fantasy totally just mixed. This time when I felt lightheaded, I passed out.

 

When I next came to, I blinked away the evening light and tried to come to terms with my memories of yesterday's events. The door opened and Aunt Beast stepped inside, total déjà vu if it weren't for the fact that she entered on my side of the room this time. She stepped forward and asked me, “Do you feel ok little one? You seemed very distressed.” I nodded and said, “I-I'm feeling better now. Just a shock I guess. How long was I out?” Aunt Beast answered, “Only a few hours. You first awoke this morning. It is now evening.” I looked down and asked softly, “This really isn't a dream?” Aunt Beast shook her head. Shaking my head slowly, I whispered, “They left me…”

 

“They didn't leave you willingly.” I looked up at Sheik's voice and saw him leaning against the doorway. As he moved fully into the room, I asked, “What do you mean?” Sheik hesitated, then said, “I had been following some Stalfos to your planet. They'd been staking out your place. I only knew they wanted someone in the house and would kill the rest. I was able to put your family to sleep and rescue them one at a time. You were last, but I'd miscalculated. I thought they were targeting your brothers. You were their target all along. I only got there just in time to stop them from taking you back to their leader, Ganon.”

Sheik took a deep breath and continued, “Ganon is the King of Evil and tyrant of this land. Due to some mistakes I made in the past, he was able to rise to power and now he threatens everything in this land.” I allowed that to sink in. I knew who Ganon and all these people are already. I'm surprised they didn't ask more when I recognized Aunt Beast.

Of course, as soon as I thought that, Aunt Beast seemed to bristle and said, “I didn't ask because I wanted to let you bring it up on your own.” Sheik looked confused while I looked down and tried to think of a way to answer the unasked question simply. I answered, “Where I'm from… you're part of a fictional story called A Wrinkle In Time. Sheik and Hyrule are a part of a fictional story called the Legend of Zelda and the Ocarina of Time… I know a bit about you both already… that's why I already knew who you were.” I suppose they were stunned. Sheik regarded me, then asked, “What do you know about this world?” I scratched the back of my neck and said, “I know about Ganondorf, the Triforce, Link and his seven year sleep, the sages, the goddesses, the sacred realm… I also know who you really are.” I wasn't sure I should've added that last part, but I imagine Sheik would've suspected it at least.

An awkward silence met my explanation. Sheik made a look at Aunt Beast that I wondered about. Then Aunt Beast said, “That would explain why he was chosen…” I looked at them confused. After a moment, Sheik nodded and turned to me and said, “Matthew, how would you feel about helping Link free the temples?” I stared at them in shock and asked, “You want me to go with Link? Will I get to see Hyrule?” Aunt Beast nodded and said, “It will be dangerous, but with the knowledge you possess, you may just be the key to helping Link finish Ganon and his evil rule. Do you feel up to it?” I thought for a moment, but it would be an easy decision really. “If I go, I'll get to see more of Hyrule right?” Sheik nodded. I grinned and said, “Of course! I'd love to! When do I get to meet Link?”

Sheik and Aunt Beast suddenly turned somber and Aunt Beast said, “I believe you've already met him, little one.” She gestured to the bed next to me, and I stared horrified at the mummified man I'd noticed earlier. After a moment's shock, I asked, “What happened to him?” Sheik shook his head and said, “He ran into trouble in the Water temple. I'm not sure what happened in there, but he had many broken bones, and had nearly bled to death from multiple wounds. But not all of them are from battle… and his iron boots were welded to his feet.” By the end of his explanation, I decidedly felt ill. Who would do such a thing? I shook my head then. Did I really have to ask? I told them, “I know who did this.”

Sheik nodded and said, “We do too. Unfortunately Dark Link is only an illusion at best. Only Link can see him and fight him.” I frowned and said, “There must be some way to help…” Aunt Beast laid a tentacle on my knee and said, “There is little one. If anyone can prepare him for what is to come, it will be you.” I shook my head and asked, “Why me though? There are plenty of people who know the story of Ocarina of Time, and probably better than I do.” Both of them hesitated, then Sheik spoke, “We don't know exactly why Ganondorf sent his soldiers after you yet… It's possible he discovered a prophecy of some kind and is trying to make sure it doesn't happen. But things happen for a reason, and I feel that you have an important part to play in the future. Ganondorf may have ensured his demise by trying to destroy you.”

I gulped and whispered, “I doubt I'm all that important…” I looked down. Sheik moved forward and lifted my chin and said, “Everyone is important, including you, Matthew. Trust us, and trust yourself.” I swallowed and nodded. Sheik gave me a reassuring smile and moved back a little. I looked back over at Link, and noticed the other beds. Before I could even ask, Aunt Beast nodded to them and said, “Those two are the others that Ganondorf chose to attack. They may be able to help Link in his quest as well.”

“Who are they?” I asked. Sheik answered, “We don't know their names. Unlike you, they were attacked immediately when found.” I frowned confused and asked, “Why would they show restraint attacking me?” Sheik said, “That is another question we have no answer to. I hope we can find the answers soon.” I thought, then said, “Maybe… when they found me, they weren't sure who to attack either? So maybe I'm not the one they were after… it can't be me…” Sheik shot Aunt Beast a look, who, after a moment, got up and left.

I looked up, startled and asked, “What's going on? Where's Aunt Beast going?” Sheik didn't answer, but he moved from where he'd been sitting on the end of the bed and sat down next to me and suddenly drew me into a hug. Startled and more than a little confused, I timidly asked, “Sheik?... what-“

Sheik interrupted me with one question, “Why do you keep putting yourself down?” I got confused and asked, “What do you mean?” Sheik said, “Twice now I've told you how important you are. Most would just accept it, especially knowing who I am. Why don't you?” I looked down and got tongue tied. Why indeed? Aunt Beast left to let Sheik talk to me about this? I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Sheik didn't say anything else though. He held me instead and rocked me slightly. I tried to answer him, but I couldn't think of anything to say. What is there to say?

After sitting there for a good while, with nothing forthcoming, Sheik sighed and said, “If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine.” Sheik made to let me go and a sudden irrational fear came over me and I grabbed a hold of the front of his tunic. Sheik didn't move for a moment then went back to holding me again. The feeling of relief at that overwhelmed me, and over it all I felt really confused. Why am I acting like this? I shook my head and leaned my forehead against Sheik's chest.

Thinking it over and not finding any good way to answer his question,  I blurted out, “I wanted to thank you… f-for taking care of me and rocking me and- and everything…” Taking a deep breath, I said quietly, “To be honest… I've always wanted to be rocked like that… I… I don't think I've ever been rocked before…” Sheik froze a little at my words, and then he hugged me tightly. I felt slightly embarrassed, and glad to be able to do so, I hid my face in his shirt.

Sheik ran a hand over my back and admitted, “I did get a chance to see the way your family interacted before I had to move to save them. I had hoped the way they treated you was limited to being in trouble, even if yelling for two hours is a bit much. From what you just told me, I see now that I was wrong.” I winced and tried to defend my parents a little and said quietly, “I get in trouble a lot at home… I don't try to… I just forget what they say no matter how hard I try not to… so they yell at me for it.”

“What of your brothers and sisters?” Sheik asked. “What about them?” I asked. Sheik continued, “Don't they show you any kindness?” I shifted and said, “Well… yeah. But they're busy with school and… I'd rather not be around them anyways.” Sheik pulled back and lifted my chin to look in my eyes and said slowly, “Do you mean to tell me you think nothing of them isolating you?” My face fell and I looked down and said, “I don't mind. If they leave me alone, that's less chance to get in trouble or extra chores...” Sheik shook his head and drew me back into the hug. Confused, I asked, “Why does it matter?” Sheik gave a small squeeze and answered, “Because I care. No one should have to be isolated or yelled at for that long. To think out of all your family members, no one puts a stop to it or tries to comfort you afterwards…” I stiffened and asked, “Why do you think no one comforted me?...”

“Did they?” Sheik asked. I mumbled, “Well, no… but…” When I didn't say anything else, Sheik said, “There are a lot of things I noticed about the way you act and the things you say Matthew. You act like the world is on your shoulders, you grow quiet about your family, you wonder what affection feels like, you quietly take two hours of yelling and isolation from family members with hardly a complaint as if you're used to it, and every single time I've touched you, you soak it up like you'll never get the chance to experience it again.”

I didn't have anything really to say to that, though I agreed with the last thing he said. Even if this isn't a dream, the chance of being touched like this ever again is slim to none. Sheik continued to hold me tight, then pulled back again and looking me in the eye, asked, “Will you make me a promise?”

“What promise?” I asked. Sheik answered, “Every time you or anyone else says something bad about you, I want you to tell yourself how good and special you are. Even if you don't believe it, tell yourself that and try to believe it, ok?” I frowned in confusion at such an odd request, but I nodded and said, “I promise.” Sheik raised an eyebrow and said, “I want you to say it outloud to yourself right now.” I felt oddly reluctant suddenly and stuttered, “I-I… well, um… why now?” Sheik said, “I want to hear you say it.” I looked down and after a moment I mumbled, “I'm a good and special person…” Sheik shook his head and said, “Louder please.” I bit my lip and, feeling really embarrassed, I said, “I'm a good and special person.”

“Again.” Sheik said. Louder, I said, “I'm a good and special person.” Sheik said, “Again.” Feeling a little irked, I said again louder, “I'm a good and special person!” Sheik grinned a little and ruffled my hair and asked, “How do you feel?” The question caught me off guard and after a moment, I answered in surprise, “Pretty good actually…” Sheik's smile grew and said, “Will you believe me now when I say you're a special person and that they made no mistake when they targeted you?” I frowned a little and said, “I guess… I just can't figure out why they'd want me…”

Sheik gave my shoulder a squeeze and said, “We'll find out.” I nodded and smiled at Sheik and said, “Thank you.” Sheik gave me a last squeeze and said, “Your welcome.” Standing up, Sheik said, “Get some more rest. Aunt Beast will bring you food, so get better soon.” I nodded and almost as if on cue, Aunt Beast came in with some food. I gratefully took it and realizing how hungry I felt, I practically inhaled it then laid back down and fell asleep almost immediately.