Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction / Starcraft Fan Fiction / Batman Beyond Fan Fiction ❯ Tassadar's Legacy: Rebirth ❯ Meeting a Hero ( Chapter 11 )

It's amazing how quickly you can get someone moving with two words. I followed closely on Sheik and Aunt Beast's heels after I'd told them Link had woken up. We were down the stairs and in front of the door to medical so fast that it had to be a record. Sheik motioned that he'd go first, and he opened the door. I followed after Sheik. Aunt Beast decided not to follow after the incident with me yesterday.

The sight that greeted me would have been almost comical if it weren't so sad. Link half sat half collapsed, crawling to the opposite wall for his things, most likely his sword. That had essentially been my reaction too after all. He must feel as naked without his weapon in an unknown place as I had felt without my clothes. Thankfully Link had relaxed considerably at the presence of Sheik, though he still looked wary.

Sheik crossed his arms and said, “You should get back in bed Link. You've only just finished healing.” Link regarded his words slowly, then nodded and tried to pull himself back up into the bed. I made a move to help him, but Sheik shot me a look that had me rooted to the spot. Once Link had gotten back into the bed, Link looked me over and I gave him a grin and a wave. He seemed to relax even more and I realized why Sheik had stopped me. I hadn't thought Link would be twitchy enough to harm someone in the state he was in, but I guess Sheik would know Link better than I would. It's certainly different reading thoughts and reading instinct. One I can do, the other? Not so much.

Link opened his mouth and asked, “Where am I Sheik?” I nearly closed my eyes at the sound of his rich baritone voice washing over me. I bet he'd make a great singer. Sheik answered, “You're in the Sheikah Fortress located near Death Mountain. We've been taking care of you ever since you were injured in the Water Temple.” My eyes widened along with Link's as flashes of his memory broadcasted out from him. Memories of torture and pain and Dark Link. I shuddered. Outside, I could feel Aunt Beast shudder too.

Link seemed to draw into himself, but he brought himself to at least say, “Thank you.” Sheik nodded and said, “There is one other person in this Sheikah Fortress than who you see here. She is not an enemy.” At that, Aunt Beast walked in. Link looked slightly alarmed for a moment, but then relaxed. Suddenly he stiffened and asked, “Where's Navi?” Sheik nodded over to his hat sitting on his dresser and said, “She has been in there, sleeping and recuperating herself. Dark Link was no less hard on her as he was on you.” Link looked saddened by the news and I could tell he wanted to go to the fairy, but knew he shouldn't move.

Taking pity on Link, I walked over to the dresser and gently lifted the hat up and carried it gently over to him. Link had looked slightly alarmed at first till he noticed how gentle I was being. He took his hat from me and said, “Thank you…?” He trailed off. I supplied an answer to his unasked question, “Tassadar. It's nice to meet you Link.” He nodded and said, “Likewise.”

I backed off a little as Link peered into the hat at the tiny blue slumbering fairy. All in all, this wasn't entirely what I expected. But then again, I never did expect to meet the Hero of Time let alone anything else that's happened so far. Sheik spoke up, “Link, we will give you time to rest. Aunt Beast will bring you food if you are hungry.” With that, Sheik walked out the door. I followed, slightly perplexed at Sheik's standoffish behavior considering how kind he'd been to me.

I caught up to him and tugged his sleeve. Sheik slowed down and looked at me and asked, “Yes?” I stared up at him and asked, “What happened back there? You seemed so… cold.” Sheik looked away a little and said, “I have to be with him. Otherwise he may guess who I am.” I knew that couldn't be all of it and said so. Sheik glanced behind him, then tugged me into an empty room and closed the door.

As soon as Sheik had closed the door, the change that overcame him could be compared to night and day. Every single line of his body relaxed and he sighed. After a moment, he said, “Promise me you'll never tell him who I am?” I nodded, perplexed and said, “I won't.” Sheik pushed back the cowl from his face and leaned back against the wall. Taking the opportunity, I sat down on the bed in the corner.

Sheik seemed to be warring with himself over whether to say something or not. I made sure not to peek at his thoughts, since more than anything else, those are private and I wouldn't look unless absolutely necessary. I seem to be gaining more control over my abilities with every passing moment.

Sheik finally reached a decision and said, “You're right. Acting cold to keep him from guessing the truth is only part of it… but it's all of it too… I've never told anyone this, not even Aunt Beast… I don't like being Sheik. It's a necessity to keep this form, but having to act the part… until I found Aunt Beast a year ago at this Fortress, I was completely alone. I had learned to be a Sheikah from Impa, but she is being watched even closer than I. I had to leave her after mastering this form.”

Sheik took a deep breath and continued, “When Link came back a few months ago, it became even worse. Always he is being watched. If he were to even suspect who I am, all would be lost. Pretending to be someone I'm not, on top of being alone for six years, is pulling me apart.”

Sheik fell silent while I digested that, but I could tell he wasn't finished. After a moment he continued, “But then I met you. I don't have to pretend with you. I can be who I am. I don't have to be the cold, hard, mysterious Sheik… I can be myself.” Sheik stopped, and I pieced the rest together and finished, “Since Link is awake, you have to go back to being something you're not… and after finally having a chance to be yourself after so long of pretending to be someone else, you don't know if you can do it.”

Sheik gave a nod and said nothing else. Biting my lip, I stood up, and firming my resolve, I walked up to Sheik and gave him a hug. Sheik stiffened at first, then relaxed in my hold and hugged back. I said quietly, “I know who you are… You can always be yourself around me. I won't tell.” Sheik gave a small squeeze and said, “Thank you Matthew.” I replied, “You're welcome.”

I for one would've gladly hugged Sheik for the next few hours or longer, but I wasn't sure Sheik would be comfortable with that, so I let go and stepped back to give him a little space. Besides that… I didn't want Sheik to know that I have a small crush on him, had one ever since I'd discovered who Sheik really is the first time I played Ocarina of Time. I could easily fall in love with Princess Zelda. Chances of her loving me back, are slim though. I'm not even human, and depending on how you look at it, I'm several years too young for her or several centuries/millennia too old for her.

Sheik interrupted my thoughts by asking, “May I ask a personal question?” I looked at her in surprise and said, “Of course. I'd be a hypocrite to say no after you shared something so personal with me.” Sheik smiled at that, then asked, “Why did you tell Link your name is Tassadar?” I grinned a little and said, “Well, to be honest, I told him that because I always thought Tassadar was the coolest. Compared to him, when I was Matthew, I was just a weak little human kid incapable of doing anything right. Tassadar is my hero. Since I am Tassadar, I'd rather be known as the person I admired more than anyone else.”

Sheik looked a little sad after I said that. I asked, “Why are you sad?” Sheik shook his head and said, “I just wish that your life had been better, so that you could have grown up without having to constantly doubt your self worth. It's a worthy thing, to admire a hero and want to be like them. But first you had to have the desire to be like them. That speaks more highly about you then you give yourself credit for. There are many vile evil men in the world. You don't revere Ganondorf do you?”

At Sheik's question, I shook my head, no, a little horrified at the idea. Sheik answered, “I believe you are a good kid, and a great role model for others trying to be as good as you desire to be. Matthew was never weak, and regardless if you never do anything right, the fact that you work to do what is right rather than what is wrong is enough to paint you as a hero in my eyes.”

I stared at Sheik, stunned and at a loss for words. Sheik smiled softly at me and I felt my small crush grow that much bigger. It's weird, being practically three people at once. On the one hand, I agree with Sheik completely and on the other hand, a small part of me can hardly believe he would think that. Sheik held out a hand and said, “Come, let's go finish breakfast.” I nodded numbly and followed him out of the room and back to the table.

Sending out a small wave akin to a radar ping, I found Aunt Beast to still be with Link, who is doing his best to get up and move around on his own, much to Aunt Beast's consternation. I grinned a little at his antics then focused back on Sheik. Learning that small bit about him cast Sheik in a slightly different light for me. One could say I almost hero worshipped him before. That hasn't changed, but knowing he's more human makes him seem more approachable now.

Sheik opened the door and stepped aside for me to pass through. Without thinking, I brushed up against him as I went past. Sheik didn't react, but it seemed to me as if the moment froze and lasted for an eternity in my mind. Shaking my head a little, I sat back down, while Sheik took the seat across from me so we could finish breakfast.

Digging in, Sheik seemed to be distracted with getting back in his mysterious and aloof character, so not much conversation seemed forthcoming to my disappointment. Checking on Link again, I swallowed the food in my mouth and said, "Link is still in the infirmary doing his best to drive Aunt Beast up the wall. I'll keep an eye on him ok?"

Sheik looked up from his food, slightly startled before relaxing slightly and smiling at me in gratitude. I smiled back and we went back to eating, the atmosphere feeling warmer. True to my word, I kept an eye on Link, and nearly sighed when he used a fairy in tandem with a blue potion, healing himself, and cutting my time with a relaxed Sheik short.

Sheik noticed my shift in attitude and asked, "What's wrong?" I shook my head and said, "Link took a fairy and a blue potion. He's already getting dressed and should be heading here soon for a meal." Sheik simply asked, "Isn't that a good thing?" I refrained from saying my thoughts aloud that I'd rather keep a relaxed and friendly Sheik to myself rather than see him close himself off once Link showed up.

Sheik must have guessed my thoughts because he reached across the table and grasped my hand in his giving it a reassuring squeeze and said, "It was bound to happen sooner or later." I shook my head and said, "I promise you we'll defeat Ganon, Sheik. Then you can be yourself again." Sheik smiled in gratitude but something behind his eyes said something different. Before I could ask about it, he let go of my hand and the moment was lost as he again started shifting into his aloof persona.

Sighing aloud, I noted Link heading out the infirmary and making his way to the stairs. I finished up my food as he walked in with Aunt Beast at his heals. Quickly glancing around the room with a practiced eye, he took us both in and without a word took a seat a few down from Sheik. Aunt Beast, who'd been behind him, headed towards the kitchen door.

I smiled at Link and said, "Hello." He nodded to me. Man of few words I guess. Aunt Beast walked back in with food for Link and he dug in with gusto and a noted lack of table manners. At least none that I recognized. Flicking a glance at Sheik, I spotted him covering up an amused smirk at the image Link presented.

The table stayed rather silent during the meal, and I was quickly growing bored and planned how to end it. Should I ask Link about the Water Temple or his adventures? True, I know about them already, but hearing them first hand from the Hero's perspective aught to be interesting.

Clearing my throat, Link glanced up at me and I said, "So Link. I heard a little about some of the adventures you've been on..." Link glanced at Sheik who nodded imperceptibly. Looking back at me Link simply shrugged and asked, "What do you want to know?" I shrugged myself and said, "I'm just curious about your take on some of the things you've done."

Link paused from his eating for a moment as he thought, then said, "It's a quest. I didn't exactly ask for it, but I'm not going to complain about it either. I've made some friends, and I've had some fun along the way, but I don't enjoy the fighting much. I grew up with life and nature in the Lost Woods and the Kokiri Forest. Taking lives is something I don't enjoy, even if these creatures are evil, but I will do what I have to."

I nodded at his words. Link is a pacifist at heart. Amazing, considering all he's been through. Sheik himself looked to be lost in thought at Link's words. I nodded again and said, "Have you found any really cool treasures on your adventures?" Link cocked his head to the side and said, "Not really. I find rupees everywhere, and I find equipment I need in the dungeons and temples I've been through. Other than that, the best treasures I have are these."

Link reached into a satchel on his side and pulled out a few round coins. He showed them to me and I eyed them each in turn, the medallions of the sages. Light, forest, and fire. I asked, "Why are those the best?" Link looked at them and said, "Each one I received from a close friend. They remind me of them."

I smiled at his explanation and asked, "May I see them?" Link seemed to consider for a moment, then he picked up his tray and moved to sit next to me. One by one he handed the coins to me and I turned over to examine them. As I picked up the coins, I noticed Sheik eyeing me closely. I didn't understand his scrutiny, so I dismissed it. The coins are surprisingly heavy for their size. Flipping them over as I admired them, Link told me a little bit about what involved getting each one.

It was as I picked up the Light Medallion that something strange happened. Taking it, I nearly dropped it in surprise as it flashed in my hands, then faded to a dull glow, before losing its shine completely. Link looks stunned, while Sheik looks solemn. "What just happened?" I asked. Sheik cleared his throat and said, "Remember the prophecy?" I nodded. "What prophecy?" Link asked. I recited, "One shall rise above the rest, Two shall follow at his back, Three will join together forever, Four shall be the One's first company, Five shall be the One's Elite Guard, Six shall keep the light in check, An army shall follow and be power manifested."

Link looked surprised, while Sheik nodded. Link asked, "What does the medallion flashing have to do with that prophecy." Sheik answered, "There are six medallions. They refer to the six who shall keep the light in check." I asked, "Is that referring to the six sages?" Sheik shook his head while Link shot me a surprised look. Sheik answered, "Yes and no. The six sages of the Golden Realm are a part of it, but only as one side of a coin. The other side are the six who will have to keep hold of their respective medallions to balance out light and dark. Compared to the Golden Realm, this world is dark, so six from this side of the world have to hold onto the medallions."

I mulled that over, as Link eyed his forest medallion and said, "That flash happened with my medallion before when I first got it. I never really noticed none of the others flashed like that one did when I got it." I nodded and said, "That makes sense. You're from the forest so I guess the forest medallion would react to you best. What I don't get is why the light medallion would react to me. I'm not even from Hyrule." Link looked surprised at that and asked, "You're not?"

I shook my head and said, "I'm from a planet called Earth. Ganon sent his stalfos after me and Sheik rescued me. I don't really want to think what would've happened if he hadn't stepped in." Link looked impressed and said, "You took on a Stalfos Sheik? Those things are strong. I'm impressed." Sheik shook his head and said, "It was nothing. And by the time you face Ganon, it will be the same for you." I nodded and said, "I can attest to that. Stalfos aren't even the worst enemies you'll face here."

Link blinked and asked, "How do you know that?" I frowned as I tried to think of a way to explain, then just settled for, "On my planet, your story is told as if it already happened. I know a lot about what you've already done and what you will do actually. That's why Sheik wants me to join you to help you get this quest done."

Link blinked rapidly, then shrugged and said, "Ok..." I smiled and said, "I'm really looking forward to it actually. I've always dreamed of seeing Hyrule for myself, even though on my world, it's just believed to be a make believe place." Link looked like he wanted to ask, but I spaced out a little, as I suddenly started hearing whispering coming from the medallion in my hand.

I glanced down at it in surprise, then put my ear to the coin. Sheik looked like he wanted to ask, but I hardly noticed as the voices got louder, suddenly everything went white.

"Time to find the others." said a female voice. Who said that?

"Find the rest of the six young master." a female voice said that I didn't recognize.

"Off you go." said another female voice.

Before I had a chance to ask, the white faded and I became aware of stars zooming past me much like they did when I went through the gateway, only this time, I seemed more aware of myself and my location. In the blink of an eye, I seemed to cross through three different galaxy's until I approached another one, and seemingly plunging into it, I zoomed towards a familiar looking blue and green planet.

The next thing I knew I had to blink from the bright sunlight and the swirling dust in the air. Taking a look around me, I nearly fell off my perch atop a high cliff as I spotted what lay out before me. "You have got to be kidding me..."