The desert sands burned under foot and hoof as Link, Starlight, and Yunobo walked through the Gerudo desert. "Your kingdom has some weird geology." Starlight said.
"How so?" Link asked.
"From what I've gathered there's an active volcano you mine, a thick jungle south east, this desert, large plains with either grasslands or forests, the muddy swamp/waterfall rich mountains, mountains, high up valleys/hills, and a nice coastal beach area dotted with islands. It's just a surprising mishmash of locations."
"That's just how it's always been." Yubono said.
"What about outside Hyrule?"
"Nobody knows. Some have explored and told tales about places like here in Hyrule, others say once you leave the borders there's just a dead wasteland out there. And endless sea if you sail it."
"That's not the case." Starlight said, stopping as she dug her hooves into the sand. This world's heart was old, and told stories about the other lands outside this one, the kingdoms that rose and fell over thousands of years. "There are other kingdoms, Gorons, Zora, hyliens, so many all scattered so far away."
"Let me guess, one of your mystery abilities?" Link asked.
"I can talk to the heart of the world, and it's so old, the oldest I've ever actually seen and felt."
“Really?” Yubono asked in surprise as he looked at the sand around him.
“Not surprised.” Link said with a sigh and a chuckle. “So how am I supposed to get into the Gerudo Village when they only allow females into the village?” Starlight turned to look at Link and pondered.
“I’ll be good. Male Goron’s enter all the time, they don’t really care about my race’s genders.”
“Why?” Link asked.
“Not sure really.” Yubono shrugged.
“Well, guess if I have to I can crossdress… think you can magic me a set of female gerudo clothes?”
“Maybe… but…” Starlight smirked at Link. “I have a better idea.”
“What?” Link asked, taking a nervous step back.
“Relax, it will only be temporary.”
“What are you going to do?”
Starlight lit her horn. “Just relax and keep your shirt and pants on.”
"Alright, you three can enter." The guard told the trip as they walked in.
"I feel so… wrong." Link said, their voice a higher pitch than before and arms covering their upper torso, trying to hide the lumps under their shirt. On closer inspection Link's face was also softer, more rounded and their figure more feminine.
"Oh please, it will just last until we're done here." Starlight said. "Take it as a learning experience. How many males do you know get the opportunity to be a female?"
"I still don't get how women can walk around with these bouncing everywhere." Link said, dropping their arms and showing their female form was well equipped for their figure and build.
"Bras. We should get you one then."
The group make a quick stop at a clothing store where link found a simple set of female undergarments they put up with extreme embarrassment before also purchasing a set of Gerudo clothing. In their female form the clothing would get Link the eye of males and females alike. "This is so embarrassing. Everyone is looking at me…" Link groaned.
"You do look really attractive as a girl Link, are you really so surprised? Didn't girls also look at you when you are a guy?"
"Well, yeah but typically I'd ignore them. Like this though it's hard not to notice them looking…"
The trio made their way up to the grand palace of the village, where the young chief, Riju, was seated. "Now, who are you three? A Vai, a Goron, and a… unicorn?”
“Hi!” Starlight said with a wave. “I’m starlight, this big guy here is Yunobo, and this lovely Vai here is Link.”
Link groaned…
“Link, strange. I know that is typically a Voe name for Hyruliens, I did not know Vai also took it.” Riju said, surprised.
“Heh, yeah, about that…” Link sighed. He pulled out the Sheika Sleight, showing it to her. “I’m that Link… Starlight here has… powers. Magic… She turned me into a Vai to get into town.”
“Please.” The larger Gerudo female next to Riju said. “No such magic exists, and with breasts and hips like that, you are a tried and true Vai."
Starlight and Yunobo tried very hard not to laugh at Link’s blush. After composing herself Starlight began speaking again. "I assure you, this is Link, personal guard of Princess Zelda and one of the Champions of Hyrule. If it's proof you want I am more than capable of displaying my magic."
“Please let her display it.” Link said quickly, hoping to be turned back into a Voe so he wouldn’t be stared at like this.
"Hm, alright, let's see." The guard said.
Starlight lit her horn, the Guard flashed, and when the light faded the Vai guard was now a Voe. They blushed, but many of the other nearby Vai all started covering their noses.
"Told you." Starlight said.
"I… stand corrected…" The guard said, noticing the looks the others were giving them.
“No~, you were supposed to do it on me.” Link whined to Starlight.
"Oh hush you'll be fine." Starlight quipped. "So, wanna change back?"
"...Give me an hour… two max." The guard said.
"Fair." Starlight shrugged
"Anyway…" Riju said, cleaning her own bloody nose. "So, you really are Link. And with such a powerful magical creature at your side. Impressive."
“Yes...yes I am.” Link nodded. “And I’m here to ask for your help, your highness.” They said with a careful bow.
"Hm, since you seem so… effective, I have a task for you three. Recently, my mother's helmet, and my crown, was stolen by the Yiga Clan."
“Cause why wouldn’t those banana bastards just mind their own business…” Link groaned.
"So it seems. If you three can fetch my crown and clear them out of their hideout towards the north edge of the desert."
“Works for me.” Link nodded.
"But, Link must remain a Vai during this mission."
"Deal." Starlight said before Link could protest.
"Excellent. I wish you all luck."
With that the trio headed out, and once hey we're outside the city, Link promptly started yelling.
“What did I do to deserve this Hylia!?!” Link yelled to the heavens. “I’m a guy, I shouldn’t have to deal with this crap…”
"Awh, come on, you look cute." Starlight said. "And I think the Queen likes seeing you as a Vai."
"Just be glad the others aren't here to see you like this." Yubono said.
“I’m pretty sure at least two of them are laughing at me…” Link groaned. “I’m also sure it’s Revali mostly...feather brained bastard…” Link grumbled, even though he enjoyed the rivalry, Revali sometimes took their rivalry a little too seriously.
"Maybe. So, think this Yoga base will be hard?"
"Probably." Starlight said.
“If there anything like they were a hundred years ago...then most likely.” Link said honestly.
"Well, I got my shield ability, Starlight has Magic, and Link is carrying a small arsenal and a Keyblade… oddly I think we'll be fine." Yubono said.
“Don’t underestimate ninja’s.” Link started. “Trust me...Impa made sure I knew that.” Link shuddered a bit at remembering her training regiment.
"Well, they seem more assassin's than Ninjas. But same concept I guess." Starlight shrugged.
“Either way.” Link stated. “We’ll have to be careful here.”
"Fair. And if worse comes to worse I bet Link can flash them and get the guys stunned at least." Starlight said, making Yubono chuckle as Link's face went red.
“Let’s not do this crap…” Link grumbled.
"Come on, you're sexy, own it!"
“I don’t want to be a woman to begin with!” Link snapped. “I was only okay in the barest sense cause I’d rather not have death glares thrown my way by the Gerudo...but this…” Link shook his head. “At this point it’s just me being forced into it, and that’s even worse than just doing it because ‘no guys allowed’ effectively.”
"Which does make me wonder why the queen asked you to stay like that while on mission?" Yubono thought aloud.
"Me thinks the queens hips swing in both directions." Starlight said with a chuckle.
“Who knows…” Link sighed out.
It was night fall when the trio arrived at the hidden Yiga Clan base. Link changed into some armor that thankfully still fit him and once they entered, freed a captured Gurado guard and once she was free began-
"Stopza." Starlight cast, freezing all the Yiga in the room in place.
"Well, that was easy." Yubono said.
“Let’s hope it stays this easy.” Link said carefully.
"It's only temporary, best to disarm, tie and lock them All up still." Starlight said.
Once the frozen Yiga were unarmed, tied and locked up they moved along to the next room. The processes were repeated and upon arriving ad the next to final room, the group spotted…
"This is a lot of Mighty Bananas…" Yubono said as the trio looked at the small mountain atop a short legged table on this rooms second floor.
"Why though…?" Starlight asked.
“Honestly, no idea.” Link shrugged. “They’ve always really liked Banana’s for some reason.”
"Should we take them?"
“Would be funny to see them freak out about all their lost banana’s.” Link said honestly.
"If we find some nuts we can make some great banana bread." Yubono added.
"Well, that settles it." Starlight said, popping in a bag of holding with her magic and tucking away all the Mighty Bananas inside. "Okay, one room left."
The trio went off, dealing with the last Yiga before arriving at a massive opening with a large hole in the middle. "That's pretty deep." Yubono said, looking over the edge.
“And that’s where they dump all their prisoners.” Link said. “I don’t know if that’s true, I’m just guessing cause why else would they have a massive fuck off hole here?”
"Ten Rupees say they wanna fill it with bananas." Starlight said.
“Lewd.” Link joked.
"How?" Yubono said.
"One word and you are getting a banana in all four of your holes." Starlight muttered to Link.
“Where’s the fourth?” Link muttered in concern.
"Think about it…" She growled.
Mentally, Link was counting, then realized.
“Please no…” Link shuddered in worry.
"What is this?!" The trio turned, seeing a Yiga Clan member, far taller and larger… and fatter than prior members the three encountered.
“Kohga!?” Link yelped, drawing one of their weapons quickly at seeing the fat Yiga Master.
"Yes I'm Kohga, and… prey tell, who are you? I know you aren't a member, none of the women here are that hot. Well, save Agitha but she's on a special mission in the south."
“I’m here cause you stole important things from the Gerudo.” Link stated, so painfully honest and ready to kick his ass.
"What? Odd, I was expecting the Queen, or her head guard at least, not a Hylian babe, a unicorn and a Goron."
“I’m going to enjoy kicking your overweight ass a lot more than I should.” Link started.
"Ha! I'd like to see you try my blonde hottie!"
Link promptly ran in attacking and screaming.
"Aren't you gonna, you know, freeze him?" Yubono asked Starlight.
"Nah, he needs this." Starlight said, magic summoning some drinks for her and Yubono.
Link pulled out a bomb from their Sheika slate and threw it at Kohga strongly, which Kohga dodged it rather swiftly for a fat guy, only for Link to stasis the bomb behind Kohga, which caused the Yiga master to look a little confused as to why they stasised the bomb specifically, which gave Link enough of a chance to drive their foot into their stomach, knocking them back just enough that the ensuing detonation blasted him right back into Link’s waiting shield to the face.
With Kohga stunned Link promptly broke several collected weapons over the Yiga Masters head before kicking them over near the hole. Before he fell in though, he began to levitate. "Haha! Bet ya didn't know I can fly did ya bitch!"
“I did actually.” Link said honestly. “Other than I’ve seen it before, it’s the only reason you're so fat for being a ‘ninja’.”
"Have we fought before?" Kohga asked.
“Let me remind you.” Link said as they pulled out a bow and arrow and took aim. “Cause I’m pretty sure you’ll remember why you couldn’t be an asshole to me before.” She said as she fired an arrow straight at Kohga’s right knee.
Link fired, hitting them right in the knee cap. "Ahhh! My knee! Wait, only one Hylian bastard has ever shot me with an arrow in the knee! You!" He looked over at Link. "Are the daughter and or granddaughter of that bastard Link!"
Yubono and Starlight face palmed and face hoofed respectively while Link fell over at the blunt stupidity.
"How is he this dumb?" Yubono asked.
"I don't even know how he's a master of anything." Starlight groaned.
“I can answer one of those.” Link called out as they got up.
“Don’t you dare!” Kohga snapped.
“Kohga used to be a respectable Yiga, until he took an arrow to the knee.” Link said with a shit eating grin.
"I'm still respectable and I'll prove it!" Kohga yelled, reaching in their back pocket and pulling out-
"Is that a giant Mighty Banana?" Yubono asked.
"Yes!" Kohga declared, the fruit easily six pounds based on its size alone. "The biggest ever grown!" He then ate it… in one bite. He then began to glow with a golden aura. "Behold the power of the Super Mighty Banana!"
"... Huh, dumbest reference I've ever seen." Starlight said.
“I’m not sure how to feel about...what I just witnessed.” Link started. “Like...seriously dude...not only did you unhinge your jaw like a snake...you took it all down your throat all at once…”
Any further comment was halted as Link was now dodging flaming bombs and multiple doppelgangers of Kohga.
"Well this sucks…" Link muttered carefully as they pulled out a bow and bomb arrow, leaping up and firing it at a flaming bomb next to a doppelganger and causing the bigger explosion to knock them out.
With the Yiga Master stunned, Link sent several bomb arrows at the large being before summoning their Keyblade and rushing in for a combo.
“Take this!” Link shouted as their Keyblade glowed brightly, a blade made of pure energy extending from the Keyblade as the Yiga Master was staggered back by all the bomb arrows as she did her signature tornado slash at Kohga.
The Yiga Master staggered for a moment before stopping just shy of the edge of the hole. "You are a feisty little one. If I was a younger man, this would have been far easier."
“And by ‘younger’, you mean just as fat?” Link asked.
"Yes, well funny thing about fat." He said, looking like he was sucking in his gut… and his gut morphed into an eight pack of abs. "Depending on your exercise and diet, it's just for show." Kohga said, a puff of smoke and petals as a large katana formed in his hand. "Now, bring it bitch!"
“Then come at me if you have the balls.” Link said as they prepared for Kohga to attack with their new katana.
Master Kohga breathed deeply, their blade slowly changing to a red hue as they then rushed at Link faster than they expected.
“Faster sure.” Link started, as they sidestepped Kohga’s swing as time seemed to slow down for Link. “But I’m still faster.” The genderbent hylian grinned as they dashed forward and went into a Sword Flurry, using the blunt end of their Keyblade and smacking Kohga ten times.
Before Kohga could retaliate, Link clashed against their katana with their Keyblade, shattering the weapon to shards.
“This...this is impossible! This is madness!” Kohga said incredulously, not believing this bitch was able to shatter his prized Katana.
“This is madness?” Link asked. “No, this isn’t madness.” Link growled. “This! Is! HYRULE!” Link said as she spartan kicked Kogha straight down the hole.
Master Kohga, before falling into the hole, was slammed with a large boulder by Starlight as he fell in screaming.
Link looked back over to Yubono and Starlight. Yubono held up a sign with a large number 8 on it while Starlight held up a 4 in her magic.
“That was more than a collective twelve.” Link pouted. “But...jeez, that was a bit tougher than I originally thought.”
"Because he was stronger than you originally thought or because you were baffled at his combat skills and lack of intelligence?" Starlight asked.
“I remember his clones and flaming bombs, but I don’t remember him being able to buff himself up or that Katana, normally the physical combat was with Sooga…” Link said.
"Ah. Well, still kinda funny he thought you were either your daughter or granddaughter." Starlight said.
"It's not too hard to believe I guess, it has been a hundred years and you are female at the moment so it makes some sense." Yubono added.
“True.” Link nodded. “Too bad I...never got to propose…” Link sighed out bitterly.
"To who?"
“I don’t know...all I know is that I had this on me.” She said while bringing up a pretty nice looking ring. “Don’t know why I have it but...kind of guessed it was for something along those lines.”
"Hm, maybe you'll remember later on." Starlight said.
In a puff of smoke a chest popped out of the dirt. Opening it, inside was the stolen helmet.
With that in tow the trio made it back to the Gerudo Village and returned it. "Excellent." Queen Riju said, placing the helmet atop a mannequin head. "Now then, I imagine you three are here for the Divine Beast, Naboris. You wish to destroy Gannon's control over it, yes?"
"That's the plan." Starlight said.
“That’s what I’m here to do from what people keep telling me.” Link said honestly.
"I see. The defenses of Naboris are tricky. Thankfully, you already brought me what will help offset that." She said, motioning to the helmet. "As you know, my mother was attuned to the power of Lightning, but not immune to it. Her helmet when worn by her blood will generate a field protecting her and a few others from the lightning. With this myself and one or two others can safely ride sand seals close enough to shoot off Electric arrows, disabling Naboris long enough for you and your friends to enter."
“Sounds good.” Link nodded. “But...are you sure there isn’t another way? I’d rather not have you get hurt because of this.” The hyrulian said worriedly, his concern for other’s safety at the forefront for them.
"While the helmet to others can give resistance to lightning only my mother and I can wear this and generate the protective field." Riju said. "We can begin the attack tomorrow. Something tells me you have plenty of arrows."
“I can always use more.” Link said honestly.
"Hm. Well, for tonight we feast and prepare, we attack at sunrise tomorrow."
And so the festivities were kept simple but plenty was available to eat and drink. Riju, after a few drinks of wine was opening more, showing her age, well, physical age. Gerudo age a bit slower than Hylians.
“Having fun there Riju?” Link asked the queen.
"Heh, for the first time in years…" She sighed, nursing her newest drink. "I was so young when I took the throne. By Gerudo standards I'm still young. A hundred years and not even half my growing is done yet…"
"Must have been hard ruling this place after your mother passed." Starlight said, quickly drinking her fifteenth drink and grabbing another. She was happy, while incapable of getting drunk, she did still enjoy the flavors.
"I had to keep my grieving behind walls, after all, everyone was looking to me, and with Hyrule fallen and all the monsters… and Naboris… it was a hard time for everyone."
“That...really sucks…” Link sighed out, taking another swig of their drink.
"You know…" Starlight started, drinking her drink down to the past drop. "I can bring her back.”
Riju looked up at Starlight. "What… do you mean?"
"Your mother. The other divine Beast heroes, two beasts we freed already, their ghosts were stuck inside keeping the worst of that Gannon junk at bay, but once she's free I can revive her. You saw what I did with your guard- fuck I forgot about them!"
"Don't worry about her… he has been enjoying themselves all day. I am expecting most of the guard will be requiring time off soon due to pregnancies…" She laughed. "But… can you really?"
"I already brought back Mipha and Daruk. And the old king of Hyrule as well. Once her ghost reveals herself I can revive her easily. She can, if you want, take over ruling the Gerudo again and you can be your age."
Riju looked thoughtful about this information. "Mother…" She muttered.
“You don’t have to answer right now.” Link brought up. “You can take your time with it...it’s a heavy decision.”
"Honestly… I'd like that. I've dreamed about that so many times… the… hope that it might be reality… I don't really know how to process that…"
“You can process it when you're hugging your mother after so long.” Link brought up. “Sound like a plan?”
"Heh… Yeah. Starlight, what are you, if I may ask?"
"Hm?" Starlight hummed. "I'm a Unicorn."
"And, is that all?"
"It's all that's relevant." She said.
“Which at the moment is fine, cause as long as we can deal with Gannon the better.” Link nodded.
"Well then, it is late, and young Yubono is already asleep." Riju sighed. "Tomorrow is a big day."
“A really big day.” Link nodded in agreement.
"Then, shall we get some rest?" Riju asked, helping Link up.
Starlight grinned a little, claiming a pile of pillows as her bed and nodding off for a moment.
She had a feeling she knew what Riju was going to do. And she wouldn't interfere.
"And that's about what's happened so far." Starlight said, the sleeping world she was in was a simple cafe where she and King sat enjoying sweets and tea.
“Sounds like you’ve got your hooves full with what you're willing to add in.” King said honestly.
"Well, it feels… nice, doing some actual good for once. Helping Link and them get stronger while also making sure not to do all the work for them."
“Understandable.” King nodded. “Always good to have a change of pace.”
"It has helped I'll admit… so, anything special up with you?"
“Just doing a whole lot of things, still thinking of starting another Admin Game but want to get done with my current one at the moment, just prepping to beat Clockwerk and finish the ‘Thieveius Racoonus’ arc.”
"Hm. Anything special happen?"
“Well...besides me making that deal with Vincent as Kite which still concerns me even if I’m getting a whole lot out of it, last time there was a chapter about Kite it was leaving off on me feeling better about knowing my family didn’t think I was different after I revealed who I truly was.” King explained. “But that was technically a long time ago.”
"...okay?" Starlight said. "That aside, how has everyone been?"
“Gonna need to be a little more specific there.” King pointed out. “Cause we were just talking about my family as a Cooper.”
"I mean like Heart and Trixie and all them." Starlight stated. "I haven't seen them in a while. I know we're connected and I can feel that they're fine but I'd like to hear some news honestly."
“Heart’s doing good, doing paperwork and just hanging out...and Trixie...gonna need to be a bit more specific with which Trixie cause there’s your Trixie then there’s my Trixie.” King said sheepishly.
"Aren't they the same since we all fused with our reflections as well?" Starlight asked.
“I...okay that whole thing was literal ages ago.” King said defensively. “But Trixie is doing well, helping me with my stuff, enjoying showing off magic and stuff like that cause she’s still a born stage magician that’s for sure.”
“Fair enough. Last I heard she and Pinkie Pie were working on managing the Kingdom’s entertainment and such. I’ve been wondering, at the rate we’re going, this Gannon thing is gonna get wrapped up quickly… what do I do after?”
“Break the curse?” King brought up. “Cause if memory serves, Ganondorf was based on Demise waging war against Hylia for some reason. You could try and figure that out so shit doesn’t hit the fan again.”
“And after that?”
“Up to you.” King shrugged. “Hard to say what comes next sometimes, but there’s always something new to do.”
“...” Starlight stayed quiet, looking down at her tea with a sad expression as she used her magic to spin the teaspoon inside the cup without reason. “And when they… pass?” She asked, staring into her tea. “Even with the… longer lifespans… you, me… we’ll still outlive them in some way, shape and form… I know I’m part of one of an afterlife… but, still…”
“Not if their world is a part of ours.” King brought up. “Cause there is a way around that.”
“Even so… For the first time in a long time… I feel happy… and, I don’t know how to stay happy without messing what I have up.”
“Trust me...I’ve felt that way for as long as I can remember.” King sighed out. “But...if I’ve learned anything from all of this, it’s to trust the people who make you happy, and do your best.”
“... Heh, hard to believe I used to believe I had all the answers and that my logic was so sound… now, I’d question everything two, three, four times over… but, with Link, Yubono, I don't do that…”
“Same here.” King said honestly. “I still do it...but I’ve been getting better, cause I have people I can trust.” King said honestly. “And it sounds like you trust the both of them a lot.” The den mother said as they took a sip of their tea.
“Yubono is like a kid, shy but full of positivity and dreams, even when afraid, he’s doing his best. And Link, he’s like me. He’s so full of regret and self hatred, that keeping focused on fixing what he failed to do a hundred years ago is keeping him from drowning in it. We both want to atone for our mistakes… course, atonement is a myth.”
“That’s a lie and you know it.” King stated bluntly.
“Is it?” Starlight asked, looking up at King now. “Then tell me, for your mistakes, do you honestly, truly feel you have atoned for them? For the deaths? The mistakes? … For the lost time?” She sighed. “It doesn’t matter who believes you have atoned… if you don’t believe it yourself.”
“It...depends really.” King said carefully. “Like...let’s take Nancy as an example. My first kill, and I regretted it for so long...but now, I’m her parent and I couldn’t be happier, cause I was able to atone for my mistake and help give Nancy the life she truly wanted.” The wolf explained. “The mistakes? I’ve made too many to count, and lost time? Why do you think when Lyra finally let me have any number of Starfish Clones I had so many just bolting around?” King chuckled at their little freedom with that. “But this isn’t about me at the moment...why don’t you believe you can atone?”
“Because… I’m afraid if I do, then who I was before is who I'll be again…”
“So you're scared that history will repeat itself?” King asked.
“Just because I’m an admin now doesn’t mean I’m immune to mistakes. I can never wash my hooves of my mistakes… All I can do, is learn to live with them, and carry them for this eternity I’ll be living. We all have sins to bear, right?”
“Now you're just being overdramatic.” King deadpanned. “Not as overdramatic as Luna when she literally created a Tantabus to make her relive her past as Nightmare Moon but overdramatic nonetheless.” King stated, putting down their tea cup.
“And you’re any better?” Starlight asked with a laugh.
“In this situation yes.” King said honestly. “And here’s why, you believe that history will repeat itself if you don’t constantly drag yourself through the dirt, having it haunt your every step to make sure you don’t do it again, like Luna using the Tantabus to make her relive the day she became Nightmare Moon, while I, slowly but surely, have accepted that I fucked up, and moved past it to become a better person.” King explained. “So tell me...are you going to let your past sins haunt you till it actively interferes with what you're doing, the niggling fear of you going back to what you used to be controlling your every step? Or are you going to admit you screwed up, and with the help of your friends and family, become a better person and not be chained by your past?”
Starlight smiled, looking down at her tea. “Why not both? It may not be healthy… but, it’s what I find peace with.”
“You can’t because it’s literally a ‘one or the other’ at this point.” King told her. “Now sure, people can find peace with things in one way or another...but what you just said doesn’t entirely make sense.”
“Maybe not, but it’s what makes me happy.”
“If it works for you, than great...but sooner or later, you’re going to have to make a choice on what matters more.” King told Starlight softly.