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telemna-hyelle · 4 months

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What You Look At, You Change: Chapter 7 (Palace of the Four Sword Au)

It's amazing what listening to C'mon for nine hours straight can help you achieve

Chapter 7: One Link, Two Link, Red Link, Blue Link

“So the boss you told us about last time, he’s the one we need to face?” Hyrule asked, tilting his head thoughtfully.

“Yeah.” Legend nodded, folding his arms tightly and drilling into the ground with his gaze, avoiding his brothers’ eyes. “Mothula II. I’ll go over the plan for him again once we’re outside his chamber, so Vio’s up to speed, and we’ll all be prepared.”

“Being prepared is good!” Wind said, bouncing a little on his heels, injecting a little extra cheer into his voice in the hopes it would lift the mood.

Legend flinched, and turned away a little, and Wind’s smile slipped. He bit his lip.

A shoulder bumped against his, and a hand landed on his head—Red was now pressed up against the Sailor’s side, shooting Wind a kind smile, and Twilight ruffled Wind’s curls, the weight of his hand warm and bolstering.

“Sounds like a plan,” Twilight said, with a thoughtful nod. “Lead the way.”

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

Legend led them across the main room of the temple to the stairway that led to the path of the Blue Sword. It led down, and down, and down, into a lightless blackness.

“Oh great,” Sky said. “More darkness. Just what I wanted.”

Legend cracked his knuckles and dug into his bag. “You know the drill, same as last time.”

The others assembled into a rough approximation of the same order they had taken last time they’d descended down a dark staircase—Sky after Legend, then Hyrule and Twilight, then Wind, Red, and Green at the rear. Red and Green seemed to cluster a little closer to Wind, and Twilight saw the considering look the veteran shot the trio, before lifting his gaze and glancing meaningfully at Twilight. Twilight’s mind spun at how he was supposed to respond to this look, but his brain was derailed when Vio slipped into line behind him.

Twilight glanced down at the smith out of the corner of his eye, but kept his mouth firmly shut. Vio’s face was mostly reserved, with only a faint furrow between his brows betraying his agitation.

Twilight knew how it was, they were both Links, after all. If Vio wanted to talk, he would. Until then, Twilight wouldn’t press him to break out of his thoughts and silence.

Chatter filled the air. Wind was nearly bouncing down the stairs, waving one arm with a wild grin on his face as he spun out the tale of a confrontation with… a giant floating head and hands, apparently? That didn’t sound familiar at all to Twilight, but Red and Green were nodding along and chiming in, comparing a fight they had with a similar boss.

Hylia knows Twilight had seen his fair share of weird stuff on his adventure, but apparently there was far more out there.

Though, the ‘attack the giant eyeball’ part of it was refreshingly familiar—

“So, there are other Heroes of Courage on this quest?” Vio’s voice sounded suddenly, sliding through Twilight’s train of thought. “Ones that are not here?”

“That’s right. We have four more Links—or, well. Three more, I guess, if we don’t count your past self.”

Vio hummed thoughtfuly, ad was silent for a long moment. “Can you tell me about them? They are our comrades, after all. I should like to… remember them again, I suppose.”

“Sure.” Twlight shrugged. “Though I warn ya, ‘m not the best storyteller.” He grinned, and looked over his shoulder, as Wind thrust an imaginary blade forward with a cackle. “That honor goes to him.”

Vio looked back, and his eyes and mouth softened. The faint shadow of an impossibly sad warmth passed over his face, but only for a moment. “So it seems.” He turned back to look at Twilight and smirked, and that unbearably tender warmth was gone as if it had never been. “But best or not, you’re the one I’m asking.”

Twilight chuckled. “Well, there’s the Captain, and the Champion, and the old man—or Warriors, Wild, and Time. Time is our… leader, I suppose. He keeps us focused and gives us advice. We all look up to him. Wars helps him a lot—he’s an army captain, so that’s no surprise. He’s always got a plan, and he works really hard at keeping our spirits up, even if he and I butt heads a lot. And Wild…” He grinned at the thought of his protégé. “He’s a free spirit, and one of the best cooks I’ve ever met.”

Vio nodded thoughtfully. “And… do you know anything about their timeline placement?” Twilight’s gaze darted to him, and Vio smiled, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole split-timeline business.”

That may be, Twilight thought, but something told him there was more to it—a sharp glint in violet eyes that his smile couldn’t quite hide. Still, it wasn’t exactly a secret, just… confusing.

He gave it his best attempt, explaining what he had been told of their adventures, and what the heroes had pieced together. Vio listened intently, nodding now and again… and with that sharp glint never leaving his eyes.

Somehow… Twilight felt as if he were missing something important.

He’d just finished when they reached the bottom of the staircase—it wasn’t like he had a lot to relate, after all—and the narrow stairway opened up into a vast dark room.

Legend turned, lifting his lantern high so he could see his brothers. His gaze lingered on Wind’s shield for a moment—only a moment, but Twilight caught it. “Watch your step! There’s some more stairs straight ahead, and then ice at the bottom, got it?” There was various nods and mutters of assent, and Legend nodded. “Good, so none of you better slip and break a leg or something.”

And with that, he turned and swiftly leapt down the stairs.

Someone, Twilight thought ruefully, was in a mood.

But then again, after a day like today, weren’t they all?

They reached the bottom of the stairs, and the lantern light glinted off the smooth white-blue surface of truly thick ice.

“All right, this room is really simple.” Legend pointed into the darkness across the room.” If the golden Octorocks are already defeated, that means the ladder will already be there, so we only need to slide across the ice to it.”

Wind let out a whoop, elbowed Hyrule and Red on either side, and shouted, “Last one to the other side is a rotten fish!” And he took off at a sprint across the ice, immediately losing his friction and shooting into a wild slide. His arms windmilled as he screeched, a manic grin on his face.

Hyrule, the Colors, and Sky all shared a single look; a look a that immediately transformed into identical gleeful smiles. The next second they were sprinting off across the ice, slipping and sliding as they tried to avoid the de-iced platform in the center of the room. Sky quickly approached Wind, his height working in his favoring against his fun-sized compatriots, but Wind’s head start managed to hold for the moment.

Sky was not to be outdone, and pulled the gust bellows out of his pack. He turned it around, flipped the switch, and went flying across the ice with a whoop.

“Here, take this!” Vio tossed something in Wind’s direction, and Wind barely managed catch it without falling on his face.

It was a white jar, with a band of blue swirls decorating the middle.

Wind’s grin turned maniacal.

Within moments, he was shooting across the ice, hot on Sky’s tail.

The other Colors quickly dug in their packs, pulling out their own gust jars. Vio pulled out a pair of boots instead, and Red saw this and grinned, pulling his own pair of boots out of his pack.

“Pegasus boots may only come in sizes for short people…” He wiggled the boots enticingly at Hyrule. “But wanna see if you can fit in them?”

Hyrule grinned. “Sweet Hylia, do I!”

Red tossed him the boots, and Hyrule quickly fumbled them on. Somehow they fit just right, which Hyrule supposed was because they were magical boots. He stood up, slid his foot forward, and rocketed across the ice. He flew past the colors, and passed Wind and Sky in a wild blur.

His wild shriek of joy was abruptly cut off when he slammed into the ladder. He slumped to the ground, groaning.

Sky let out a yelp of mingled laughter and dismay. “’Rule, you all right?”

Hyrule lifted his hand into the air, sticking up a thumb with a grin. “Heck yeah I’m all right,” He wheezed. “I’m not a rotten fish!’

Yells of protest arose from the other heroes, and they redoubled their efforts, jostling each other back and forth with the gust bellows as they strived to avoid a fishy fate.

Twilight and Legend watched from the far side of the room with amusement. Legend folded his arms with smirk. “Didn’t realize we were so forgettable.”

Twilight smirked back at him. “As if you wouldn’t normally be out there, trying to outdo them with all your little magical gadgets and gizmos.”

Legend arched an eyebrow. “Same goes for you, rancher, don’t think I don’t know about your competitive streak.”

Twilight shrugged. “Well, I would, if someone hadn’t lingered behind while giving me significant looks.” He raised both eyebrows at the veteran, and they stood staring at each other for a long moment.

Legend’s knee began bouncing, but Twilight continued to stare him down, steady as stone, if stone could smirk.

Finally, the Veteran’s hero’s-spirit-ingrained-curiosity could take it no longer, and he exploded.

“I’m not going crazy, right? Four’s shield—!”

Twilight cut him off with a sharp shake of his head. “This isn’t the time to discuss it.”

Legend stared at him, then threw his arms in the air. “Well then, why did you just stand there until I gave in and asked the question?”

Twilight grinned. “Because it was funny.”

The veteran’s teeth ground audibly, and he turned away, muttering under his breath. He muttered for a good minute, before finally sighing and turning back, folding his arms. “I get it. There’s a lot going on right now.” The words were grumbly and reluctant, and Legend sniffed at Twilight for good measure. “Still, good to know I’m not crazy.”

Twilight grinned wider. “Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that—”

Legend kicked him and stuck out his tongue. “Have fun being the rotten fish!”

And with a kick of his Pegasus boots, he was flying across the ice.

Twilight yelped and took off after him, yelling after the veteran all the way.

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

It was drawing near the end of his watch when the sound of retching caused Four to jump into action. In a quick movement he turned Time on his side and pulled the blankets away—and just in time.

He shoved a hand through his hair and sighed at the mess, trying to decide what to do—

“Four?”

The smith turned to see Wild sitting up in his bedrolling, yawning and scrubbing at one eye with the heel of his hand.

Four felt his shoulders slump in a sigh. He should have known the noise would wake Wild up—the Champion always slept lightly and woke early: he claimed it was because his body had stocked up on sleep for a hundred years and he didn’t really need it anymore. Four didn’t know if magical sleep worked like that for sure, but, well… he wouldn’t be surprised. After all…

He shook the thought away and grinned a little sheepishly. “If you’re awake, uh… I could use some help?”

Wild slipped out of his bedroll, wandered over, and winced. “Yeah… what do you need me to do?”

Four frowned thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. “Can you make him something to eat? He really needs something in his stomach.”

Wild gave Four a lazy salute and a wink. “I can certainly do that. Anything else?”

Four considered again. “Can you help me move him to the far side of the fire?”

After a hasty discussion of strategy, and the application of Four’s power bracelets. Wild took Time’s head, Four took his feet, and they slowly dragged him around to the other side of the fire.

“Thank Hylia…” Wild said with a wink, “That he doesn’t have his armor on right now…” He shuffled carefully, slowly but surely edging Time around the firepit, “…or this would be a nightmare.”

Four giggled, his breath hitching with the edge of hysteria. Wild caught it, and gave Four a knowing look. “You need sleep, don’t you?”

Four shook his head. “I’m fine. What I need is to look after Time.”

Wild looked very skeptical, but Four ignored him, focusing on carrying their leader with minimal jostling. Finally they reached a spot that was relatively smooth and just the right distance from the fire, and they set him down carefully. Time stirred fitfully despite their care, but that was all right. He needed to be awake to get something in his stomach again.

Wild bent over the pot while Four used his fire rod to quickly “sanitize” the mess. No sense dealing with the yuck when you could just incinerate it into oblivion, after all.

He wasn’t quite sure how he would explain the huge black scorch mark on the cave floor to Wars when he would up, but Four would jump that chasm when he came to it.

Then he returned to his place by Time’s side, wiping his face with chilled water and trying not to count each fitful breath.

After a half-hour or so, Wild carefully carried over a bowl, a piece of bread tucked under one arm. Four reached up and took it, taking a deep sniff of the warm aroma rising from the wooden bowl.

“What’d you make?”

Wild plopped down beside him, giving Time a complicated look as he bit his lip. Four could see the antsy movements in hands and shoulders—he knew how this had to be affecting Wild.

Wild had lost companions before, and even though this was just a simple fever, even simple things can make old fears grow in strength.

“Creamy heart soup—though I left out the milk and used a water broth instead cause it’s easier on the stomach. And I left out the voltfruit too for the same reasons. And the hydromelon.”

Wild paused.

“Maybe it’s just hearty radish soup, then.”

He took the bread out from under his arm and wiggled it. “And remember when I baked bread a few days ago? I warmed up one of the loaves by the fire, so you can maybe dip that in the soup? Give him something a little solid in his stomach? Bread always helps me.”

His words were getting a little rambly, spinning out like thread from a spindle, as if speaking could distract him from the thoughts lurking deep below the surface. Four knew that too well, so he simple smiled. “Thanks, Link.”

Wild blinked, gave Four a strange look, but finally shrugged and smiled. “You’re welcome!”

Four turned and set a hand on Time’s shoulder, shaking it gently. “Time? Old man?”

Time groaned, but it was more a groan of protest than discomfort, and his eyes opened to bleary slits.

Good enough.

“Can you help him sit up?” He whispered to Wild, and the champion nodded, scooting around to help prop Time up.

Once Time was in a sitting position, Four scooped up a spoonful and offered it with a grin. “Now, are you gonna let me do this the easy way this time, or…”

Time blinked slowly, squinted and muttered, “…captain?”

Four almost dropped the spoon. Wild choked. “He must be really out of it if he mistook you for Wars!”

The smith let out a short laugh. “Yeah, I guess he must be. Maybe it’s because the Captain apparently raised the old man.”

Wild’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? HOW?”

Four shrugged. “Time travel shenanigans, apparently.” He focused on spooning the soup into Time’s mouth, who took it without protest this time. “You’d have to ask the captain.”

They fell into silence, Four concentrating on his task and Wild on keeping Time’s rather heavy torso upright. Finally, the bowl was empty, the bread consumed, and Time was laid back down on the bedroll and tucked in.

Wild stood up and stretched, puling out his slate to check the time. “Why don’t you go to bed, smith? Your watch has been over for a bit.”

Four stirred and looked up at Wild, before glancing back at Time. “But—”

“Hey.” Wild held out a hand to Four. “We’re all brothers here. I’ll keep a watch on Time, promise.”

“I…” Four glanced down at Time, then back at Wild’s face, which was determinedly smiling despite the anxiety still lurking in the tenseness of his muscles. He sighed, and grinned, taking Wild’s hand. “All right.”

Wild lent him his blanket, since Four’s was still draped over Time, and Four climbed into his bedroll, lying on his side and pulling the blanket over his shoulder.

His eyes slipped shut, his last thought a wish for a dreamless sleep.

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

The next two rooms were tricky, and the heroes were quiet as they followed Legend’s instructions, watching their feet lest they step on the wrong tile and send them all plummeting to their doom. The next room was less difficult, but still had one of the traps active.

Legend frowned down at the blue fireball. He frowned at Twilight. “Why didn’t you get rid of the fireball while you were getting rid of everything else and giving me anxiety?”

Twilight looked at him, unimpressed. “How am I supposed to get rid of a fireball.”

Legend refused to be suppressed. “I dunno, but that seems like a you problem.”

Wind grinned. “Well, now he can’t, can he? Cause it’d be a paradox, right?”

Legend scowled.

Sky frowned thoughtfully. “Well, I know I went back in time and changed stuff that I knew happened, so maybe it’s possible—”

“Anyone else getting a headache?” Hyrule whispered to the Colors, and Red and Green raised their hands.

VIo set his hands on his hips. “Is this really the most important thing at the moment?”

Legend coughed sheepishly and pointed at the switch across the way. “Someone hit that, please?”

Wind quickly pulled his bow out of his pack, aimed, and fired, turning the switch from red to blue. With a flick of the Cane of Somaria, Legend placed the block, and then flapped the cane at his companions. “Alright, hurry up! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

The heroes hastened down the stairs to the lower level, sprinting before the fireball could catch up to them. It was a narrow hallway, and there was a lot of them, and the fireball barreled towards them before they could all get up the steps.

Legend, who had reached the top of the stairs, turned to check on his brother’s progress, and paled. “Hyrule, Red, watch out!”

Hyrule saw the brilliant blue blaze bearing down on them, and acted quickly. He grabbed in both arm, frantically gathered magic, and jumped. The pair of them soared through the air, whooping excitedly as they passed over their comrades, and landed neatly on the top of the stairs next to Legend.

Legend propped his hands on his hips and nodded admirably. “Nice.”

Hyrule set Red down on the steps. The smith grinned wildly. “That was amazing.”

Twilight reached the top of the stair, quickly sweeping both of them into a bear hug—or would it be a wolf hug? Legend mused thoughtfully—lifting them up so their feet dangled. “That was some jump there, traveler.”

Hyrule beamed proudly. “I love that spell.”

Twilight laughed and set them back on the ground, and Wind and the other two Colors quickly gathered around. Vio was asking Hyrule the specifics of the spell, Green was ruffling Red’s hair, and Wind was excitedly asking Hyrule if he could jump next time.

Legend cleared his throat.

“Ready for the last boss?”

It took them a moment, but the heroes calmed down and settled down to the business of checking their gear and tallying supplies. Legend waited until it seemed they were all ready.

“Alright. The next boss is Mothula II, and here’s the plan.”

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

The door slammed shut behind them, and a giant moth rose from the floor, spreading it’s massive wings as it glared down at the heroes with eyes glowing with hostility.

Sky stared up at Mothula II and whistled. “That’d take some bug net.”

Twilight nodded solemnly. “I think Agatha would faint from joy.”

Legend spun the sword in his grip, glaring up at the bug. After… last time.. He didn’t really feel like playing around. “Ready to kick some bug butt?”

The other Links tightened their grips on their weapons, letting their silence be their answer.

With a mighty flap of it’s wings, two more giant moths spawned, and they began circling each other, spitting rings of sizzling energy.

“Arrows!” Legend called, and Twilight swiftly sent an arrow darting through the air, squarely piercing the moth’s head.

The moth exploded in a poof of dust, revealing a swarm of bees. A symphony of enraged buzzing rose as the swarm descended upon twilight—only for Sky to dart in front of the rancher, sword moving so swiftly it was almost dancing in his hand.

Bees fell in clumps, not a single one managing to get past the Chosen Hero’s guard.

Vio pulled back his bow, aiming and firing in a smooth, long practiced movement. The arrow thudded into a mouth’s eye, and the whole creature shuddered, flashing a dusty grey.

“That’s the one!” Legend yelled, grinning fiercely. “Great shot, Vio! Everyone, focus on him and ignore the others!”

He charged forward, stabbing his sword into the giant moth. Green, Twilight, Hyrule, and Sky were on his heels, blades flashing, and Wind had busted out a giant hammer, beating and battering the moth with glee. Twilight eyed him as he ducked an energy ring.

Maybe he still has pent-up rage from the Blind II fight. I wouldn’t be surpised, after all…

He charged at the moth with a savage yell, thrusting his sword into the moth’s abdomen.

…I know I do.

Vio and Red hung back, shooting off arrows and fireballs at Mothulla II in between calling out warnings about the clone. Mothula spat more and more energy rings, roaring in rage in concert with his flashing grey.

He seemed to be slowing, the wind stirred by the great flaps of his wings beginning to die off. Green noticed. He charged forward with a shout, eyes burning with emerald fire. The Four Sword swung in a glittering arc, slamming into Mothula II’s abdomen. The moth roared and flashed grey again, only to flash once more when a blazing fireball slammed into it, accompanied by a triumphant yell from Red.

The next moment, an arrow slammed into it’s other eye, and Mothula II screeched. It shuddered, froze, and turned a deathly grey all over. After one dreadful, silent moment, it slowly crumbled into dust, vanishing forever.

Vio lowered his bow with a grim smile.

Legend took a deep breath and whooshed it out in a sigh of relief, sliding his sword back into it’s sheath.

“We’re done.”

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

The Blue Sword stood proudly in the center of the room, the center of attention of every eye gathered there.

“So…” Wind crossed his arms, tipping his head to one side curiously. “…how badly is …Blue?... gonna react?”

Red’s shoulders drooped. “Very.”

“It’s not like you reacted well to the whole situation yourself,” Legend said, raising an eyebrow. “Is Blue really gonna be that different?”

The colors exchanged a glance. It was Vio who spoke, folding his arms and looking to one side. “Blue… is my passion. He feels deeply, and is not the best at keeping those emotions under control. Losing our—” He swallowed hard. “What happened hurts all of us, but because of his nature, it will hurt him the most.

“If we don’t stop him, he’ll try to take that hurt out on any perceived threat.”

There was a long beat of uncomfortable silence before Sky spoke up. “We’ll just have to be ready for anything, then.” He glanced around. “Who want’s to draw--?”

Wind shot his hand in the air. “I haven’t gotten a turn yet!”

Legend waved a hand towards the sword. “Be my guest!”

Wind stepped forward, and the other heroes gathered around, weapons set aside to leave hands free, muscles tensed and at the ready.

Wind pulled the sword, and a small figure clad in a blue tunic and cap appeared, black blood spilling out onto the stones below him, flowing in rivers from his side.

“Quick, grab him!” Twilight called, which was a mistake.

Blue exploded into action with a snarl. Before Twilight could get ahold of him, Blue had leapt forward onto Legend, spitting rage and clawing at his face. Only the instincts of six adventures enabled Legend to react in time—he reached up and managed to snag Blue’s wrists, but not before several stingling lines were drawn down his cheek. Blues hands flailed furiously in Legend’s grip, simultaneously trying to throttle the veteran and gouge his eyes out.

“HELP, PLEASE!” Legend yelled, and the rest of the Links, who had been frozen in shock, were galvanized into action. Twilight seized Blue around the middle, and despite Blue’s frenzied thrashing, managed to haul him off the veteran. Legend kept his hold on Blue’s wrists, trying to force them down before the smith managed to score a hit on the rancher, while Green and Vio grabbed Blue’s legs, but not before Vio took a boot to the face.

“Are you okay?” Red yelped, but Vio shook his head, wincing. His jaw ached and he was pretty sure his nose was bleeding, but that wasn’t the important thing right now.

“Quickly, heal him before his wound gets worse! All this thrashing could cause internal injuries!”

Sky had already drawn his sword, and Blue’s screaming increased. “I’ll kill you, just wait until I get my hands on—” The Master Sword blazed, and the blackness in the blood vanished, purified and incinerated. Blue cried out, whether in pain or rage they could not say, but before he could spit more vitriol, Hyrule grabbed his jaw and poured blue potion down his mouth. Blue tried to spit it out, but Hyrule clamped his jaw shut with an apologetic wince.

“I’m sorry but I don’t have a choice!”

Blue’s eyes blazed at Hyrule over his hand, but he was forced to swallow. Then he let out a gasp of shock when he felt the potion take effect, knitting the torn sinews and flesh together, smoothing the skin out once more.

Then he sunk his teeth into Hyrule’s hand. Hyrule yelped and tried to jerk back, but Blue’s grip was too strong, his eyes glaring the hatred of a thousand moblins.

Red dropped to his knees beside Blue, grabbed either side of Blue’s face, and shouted, “ZELDA’S OKAY!”

Blue instantly stilled.

He was still tense, but his eyes darted around the room, taking stock of everyone’s faces—and of the blooming angry swelling on Vio’s nose, foretelling a possible future of a double black eye.

Slowly, carefully, Blue relaxed his jaw. Hyrule snatched his hand away, shaking it ruefully and pulling a little on his Life spell to erase the teeth marks.

“Someone had better explain what is going on,” He growled, “And they’d better explain it fast.”

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

Despite his request, it took a long time to explain it to Blue, mostly because Blue would devolve into angry yelling and accusations if something seemed suspicious even in the slightest. Finally, though, after Green, Red, and Vio had vouched for the other heroes and what seemed to be happening, and after the evidence of the Hero of the Sky and the Goddess Sword of Legend, Blue seemed to believe it… though he certainly wasn’t happy.

“Why can’t we just use their… time travel quest whatever to get back home?” He flung his arm out. “If you think I’m just going to abandon my CHILDREN you are absolutely out of your mind!” He glared at Green, Red, and Vio. “I can’t believe you would just go along with this!”

Green gritted his jaw and looked away, Red’s head drooped, but Vio crossed his arms and cooly stared back at Blue. “Are you truly all right with the possibility of fracturing three flourishing timelines and dooming billions of lives to oblivion?”

Blue was tense as a drawn bowstring, glaring still at Vio for a long moment, before finally he deflated like a popped octo balloon.

He shook his head and looked away. “No, and you know that.” He ground his teeth, before rallying for a second round. “But how can you be sure it would do that? All you have to go off of are some words on a wall—it’s not like you know what happened to Link and Zelda—” his voice abruptly choked off, for he had seen the slight flinch in Vio’s expression, the tightening of his lips and the tiny movement of his violet irises glancing to the side.

Blue’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his chest, burning cold swirling in his chest. “You know.”

The accusation was low and hissed, shock and betrayal dripping like icicles from the words.

Everyone’s gaze snapped to Vio, who had gained control of his expression once more, his mien stern and cold as stone. “No, I don’t,” he said calmly.

Blue stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Yes, you do,” he snapped. “I know you, Vio, you’re me. I know when you’re hiding something. You KNOW, or at least you have a guess, don’t you?” He snarled. “That’s it, isn’t it? You have a guess, and you don’t want to tell us until you know. Guess what? As soon as we join again every part of me will know, so why are you holding back when wE COULD BE RESCUING MY KIDS.”

“Blue, settle down!” Green called, but Blue ignored him.

He grabbed the front of Vio’s tunic, shaking him, but Vio stared back at him, his jaw gritted. “Because it’s just a guess,” he snapped. “I don’t have any proof, and I don’t want to build up false hopes or—” his voice faltered.

Green had stepped forward, trying to break the two of them apart, but Red had caught the note in Vio’s voice. “What is it, Vio?” He stepped forward, his voice rising with stress and fear. “What’s wrong. You’re acting like you think something…” he swallowed. “…terrible happened to the babies.”

Blue twisted his fists in Vio’s tunic, vibrating with rage. “This isn’t your time for games, Vio! You’re not solving anything, you’re just making it worse! What could possibly be worse than this situation? They’re already dead in this time, so how could it be any—”

“DON’T ASK ME THAT.” Vio yelled, his own eyes blazing, his cool façade finally cracked. “Don’t you dare ask me that, unless you think you’re prepared for the answer, because you’re not.” He was shaking now, with rage or sorrow or something in between, and he grabbed Blue’s tunic in return, matching Blue glare for glare.

“Answer me, Blue,” he said, his voice frantically trying to stay smooth, despite the cracks forming in it’s foundations. “Ever since you woke up, you’ve been trying to forget something, haven’t you? I can see it in your eyes, and in Red’s, and in Green’s. You don’t want to face it, so you’ve been running away from it. But I haven’t.”

Blue’s eyes widened, his grip on Vio slackening, but Vio pressed on.

“Tell me this,” he said, low and with the tenseness of a man hanging onto control by the fingernails, “from while we were sealed… what did you dream.”

*-/-*-/-*-/-*-/-*

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