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Chapter Text

Twilight's pov:

Of course of goddesses dammed course, what better way to get separated then being thrown into a raging ocean. With only a board to keep you from drowning, great idea Hylia! A cough drew me out of my thoughts. I checked on Legend who was besides me. He was just getting any excess water out, I'd have to watch him for dry drowning later. He was under a bit longer than me.

Something didn't feel right, I looked the mage over. Legend's face was scrunched faintly, his left eye closed. Oh for the love of Hylia, please don't tell me he's hurt. "Vet, what's wrong?" I called out over the storm. Legend looked over, his strawberry blond hair already beginning to escape it's braid, the soaked strands falling over his violet eyes.

"I'm fine, don't worry." Legend spoke over the sounds around us. I was about to call him out, when a wave crashed over is. Both of us hit by a wave of salty water. The water resoaked anything that could've dried. I barely could hear Legend's quiet pained wince over the roar, and only due to my enhanced hearing. I reached over and wrapped an arm around Legend, pulling the mage against my side. Legend looked up at me, beads of water running down his face.

"Don't lie to me Vet. Where are you hurt?" I spoke firmly, looking down at the teen pressed into my side. Legend's eyes narrowed slightly, probably debating what to tell me. I look at him sternly, I knew something was wrong.

Legend sighed, looking away and onto the board. "I'm not hurt.... it's something else." Legend reluctantly muttered. My expression turned confused.

"What else?" I asked, my arm wrapping tighter as Legend's grip momentarily faltered. His expression warping into pain for a moment. Worry flooded my mind, what was going on.

Legend took a second to respond, his voice steadily growing weaker. "I-it's a curse- I-I'm suppose to shift when I'm in waist deep water... b-but the band s-stops it halfway." Legend explained, obiviously in pain. My eyes widened, oh no-... that was not good. I look over to Legend's right wrist, the sliver bracelet still locked into place. I knew how painful a shift could be, thankfully my own was tamed and painless thanks to... Midna. But Legend's wasn't, it was out of his control. And from the pain Legend was showing, painful.

I adjusted my hold to support Legend and keep his head above the water. Legend looked over at me, he was surprisingly coherent for how much pain he must be in. "What do you shift into?" I had to know, it could be something that'd kill him. "And how much control do you have during it?" I knew how to undo the bracelet. Warriors, who insisted on the damn thing to begin with, showed everyone but Legend how to undo it.

Legend bit his lip to muffle a wince, his skin getting pale. "M-mer... f-full." He managed through. My eyes briefly widened briefly, I've never heard of that one before. But that'd work. Warrior's damn paranoia wasn't worth Legend's life. I moved my arm underneath Legend's shoulders, Legend was thin so I grabbed his wrist. Finding the hidden clasp along it. I wouldn't be surprised if Legend found it ages ago, but didn't use it so he didn't ruffle feathers.

The bracelet fell into the raging water below us. Legend winced one last time before I assume what was his transformation took over. There was no distinctive sounds or changes I could see or hear. But judging by Legend's slightly relieved expression, it took place. I let Legend go and he let go of the board. But stayed by me. Some color returning into him. I sighed slightly, I only had one painful transformation, I couldn't imagine one constantly after another. "You good Vet?" I asked still slightly worried.

Legend nodded, staying close in case presumably I gave out. "Thank you..." He said softer than his normal bite. I nodded slightly. Legend briefly dove underneath the water, but quickly reappeared at the other end of the board. Steadying it so I didn't flip over.

I give Legend a slightly thankful nod. "Thanks Legend." I mumbled, leaning more of my weight onto the board. Legend watched worry in his expression. Shifting so his arm rested on the board to steady it.

He grabbed something and slid it over, I saw a ring with a small ruby on it. "Put it on, it'll help with the cold." Legend instructed. I nodded and slid it on, warmth flooding my body. I didn't even realize I was cold. "Let me know if you feel tired or weaken, your grip slipping. Anything at all." Legend fretted, watching my every move with worried eyes.

I looked over, Legend's face was softer, younger almost. Huh I didn't realize how much Legend's normal scowl sharpened his features. I nodded slightly, letting the fretting happen. Legend kept watch, now doing better off than I was. His form better suited to the environment then me. But I couldn't help but notice something. Legend's shoulders tensed at every sound of thunder. Was he scared? Did... something happen to him?

It wasn't the time to ask, besides I'm pretty sure I already reached my personal questions limit. It was surprising Legend even confessed his 'curse' to me. Legend ducked back underneath the waves. Appearing by me and wrapping his arms around me like I did him. "Your grip faltered." Legend mumbled, concern in his eyes.

I nodded slightly. "Can you handle my weight?" I asked, ready to shift back onto the board.

"I got it, the water supports you more. Beside I have my power bracelet on." Legend said firmly. I nodded giving in. I couldn't help but wonder if this wasn't Legend's first time at sea. Besides Wind's Era. He seems a bit too familiar with this, like he has other experiences.

Legend's pov:

After what felt like ages, the storm finally cleared. Or at least moved away from us. I sighed slightly in relief, my arms still firmly around Twilight. It was a bit hard to support him and his gear, but I wasn't telling him that. The waters finally calmed and I felt my form loosen as much as it could being in the goddess damned ocean. "Twilight, can you climb onto the board at all?" I asked, I needed to get him out of here.

Twilight nodded and with some help he was on the board. "What's the plan?" Twilight asked. I bit my lip, looking around. I couldn't see anything nearby. I had to go find land, but I didn't want to leave Twilight.

I look over at Twilight. I had some rope in my bag... maybe just maybe. "How well to you think you could hold on?" I ask, a half assed plan slowly forming. Twilight's expression turned confused and I could see the suspicion in his eyes.

"What are you thinking?" Twilight asked, the slightest hint of worry in his voice.

I couldn't help the smirk. "I'm gonna pull a Wild." I announced and Twilight's face dropped. I grab the rope from my soaked bag, thankfully nothing perishable or in danger of water in there. Pulling out the rope and a pair of leather gloves. Seeing the color drain from Twilight's face. I tied the rope tightly to my waist and tossed Twilight the gloves.

"And I thought you were a calm one- damn gremlin was hidding." Twilight grumbled underneath his breath at me. I chuckled slightly as he pulled on the gloves. I handed him the other end of the rope.

"Just... hand on." I said before diving into the much calmer water below. Let's see how this goes. I started swimming, feeling the tug of the rope. I wasn't the best swimmer ever, I was okay at best. But even if unexperienced in form, I could manage. I knew I couldn't find land without guidance. I needed an ally, but from my experience. Fish aren't too bad of a guide.

Twilight's pov:

I had no idea what was going on in Legend's mind. But it was either dumb enough to work, or the smartest shit I've seen. I thought our vet was strict full plans no flaws, but here I am. The gloves thankfully kept me from getting rope burn, and Legend kept it going at a steady pace after a brief stop. He hasn't surfaced since going down. And if I didn't know his other form, I would've thought he drowned.

The sun shifted from around afternoon to nearly dusk when I saw land in the distance. And Legend seemed to know it too. The kid made it work, I can say that much. Once we were close enough. I jumped into the shallows, silently rejoicing as my boots hit sand. Legend was close by but slightly farther. Probably so he didn't beach himself. I look over at him. "Not bad witchy, not bad at all." I said with an impressed smirk.

Legend huffed slightly, swimming slightly closer. I got a brief glimpse of a tail similar color to his pinkish blond hair, slight hints of violet like his eyes. Well I'll be, Legend really had a mer person's shift. I patted the Vet's back, before wading closer to the shore. Legend followed but paused as his shift happened. He looked a bit peaked after but he was still standing.

Chapter Text

Legend's pov:

After making sure Twilight was fully on the shore, I followed up on. The air was slightly chilly compared to the water but not the worse. I rubbed up and down my arms while looking around. The beach seemed to stretch along the front of the island, a slightly part in the distance where the river met the sea. A few palm trees stretched out in a hauntingly familiar way.

I felt my breath catch as I took note of how the land formed a small cliff over the beach. Distantly I felt Twilight place his hand on my shoulder. This couldn't be happening, this can't- it... it was a dream-

Twilight's pov:

Things seemed relatively like one of Wind's islands. Seemingly normal enough. Actually doesn't seem like the worse place to get stranded. That was until I looked over to ask Legend his opinion. Only to see the vet pale as a ghost, his arms wrapped around himself in a concerning manner.

I quickly walked over, getting more concerned as Legend didn't seem to notice or care. Not even a move as I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Legend? Legend what's wrong?" I looked around, almost expecting a huge monster to be the thing that shook the vet so bad. But there was no one else but us, no monsters, nothing.

I put both my hands on the mage's shoulders, shaking him slightly. Legend jumped slightly, looking back at me. I sighed in relief. "Are you okay? You zoned out there." I asked, worry for the teen brewing inside me.

Legend's pov:

I didn't even realize how badly I was freaking out until Twilight shook me. I didn't even notice how badly I let my shield falter until it was too late. I sighed, taking a deep breath as I ran a hand through my hair. Strands came out of the braid, but it was already like that from, the storm.

"It's nothing... just some deja vu." I muttered, composing, myself. Twilight looked at me, clearly not believing it. But I didn't give him time to press. "We should go, we don't know what's out here. Plus the others may be here too." I stated, grasping the strap of my bag with a firm grip. Shoving any and all memories of Kolohint and it's people deep down.

Twilight looked like he wanted to protest, but he didn't. Subconsciously, I took the lead the island serving exactly to my memories of Kolohint. Muttering curses and some vague insults to the goddess, I reached into my bag. Thankfully my younger self has the sense to dip my maps in wax, water proofing them. I pulled out an old sketch of an island. One I made out of pure boredom and desperation while I was recovering from my fourth adventure.

I grimaced as I looked over the map and our surroundings. Yep, that matched way too well. Hylia, you are such a bitch. Twilight looked over my shoulder and I could feel his curiosity turn to outright confusion and suspicion. "You've been here Vet?" Twilight asked, his voice level but the suspicion in it. It wasn't the 'you're a traitor' or the bad suspicion per say, but I still hated it nonetheless.

Twilight's pov:

The feeling that something was wrong grew inside of me. I wasn't sure if it's because the idea that the Shadow sent us here. Or that Legend just happened to have a map that was a hell of a lot like where we were from what I can see. Legend took a minute to reply, almost seeming like he was battling down some kind of inner demon. "Not in reality." Legend muttered darkly, only adding to my confusion.

My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at Legend. The mage giving me no time to question and continuing to move. His shoulders tensed up. I held my mouth for now, I would be getting answers later. Legend didn't even look at the map a lot, seemingly knowing exactly where to go. He quickly and easily found a gap between the trees, and stepped through.

Legend's pov:

I felt something ache inside of me as I took in the sight in front of me. I vaguely registered Twilight gasping besides me. A village- the village I spent so much time in- was in ruins. The library where the two kids would always play ball was falling apart, the walls blackened from a fire. My heart ached inside my chest. A familiar grief coming back as I pressed my hand to the wall.

It came back with ash and burnt dust on my hand, it was burned recently then. Judging by the damage, the fire started at the roof. I didn't think much of Twilight's gaze watching me. My mind focused on the sight before me. I didn't even want to see the rest of the village. I wasn't sure if my heart or head could handle it.

This village... this entire island.. it became home while I was here. More of a home than my own house since Uncle died. More of a home then anywhere I've ever traveled to. I closed my eyes, silently mourning the lost of this place all over again. I heard Twilight walk over, and place his hands just below my shoulders. "You know this place." His voice was soft, concerned, but there was no question in his voice. There was no point hiding it.

"I do."

Twilight's pov:

Something about Legend's quiet admission struck me. The hidden layers in his tone. His posture echoes of grief and defeat. I looked around, feeling a pang in my own chest. Fences where ruined, houses falling apart. All this was someone's home, this was someone's life. And from how Legend was reacting, the mage was quite attached to this place too. I gently pulled Legend away from the burnt building. I didn't dare remove my hands from his upper arms.

I never thought Legend as one of our emotionally or mentally fragile members. I mainly thought of Wild and Wind since he was so young, as the ones who had the greatest chance of breaking down. But I was once again proved wrong, I couldn't help but remind myself once again. Legend was only somewhere in his mid to late teens, and had more adventures than Four who had three. Legend had seen his fair share of horror, and then some. It was just so hard to remember.

Legend was always someone emotionally closed off. The grump of our little ragtag group. Even if Sky said otherwise. Someone who would help treat an injury or cook when Wild was ill. But also would curse you out while doing it. I gently rubbed little circles into Legend's arms with my thumbs. Letting the vet have space to collect himself, but still showing him support and comfort. Meanwhile reflecting on how much my perspective of Legend has changed in just one day.

I thought of Legend as someone strong but a jerk. That Legend was one of us who would never need help. Someone who always planned everything. But... I couldn't believe that anymore. Not after Legend doing a half done idea and not a single thought to the future. Not after seeing him fighting back tears, looking so heart broken at the wreck in front of us.

Legend's pov:

I let my grief consume me for a moment. Allowing Twilight to comfort me. The small circles he rubbed into my arms, the shifting of my sleeves along with it. It was comforting, and I couldn't help but notice how similar Twilight was to my Uncle. They had the same accent, the same hair color, and the same methods to comfort. Ignoring the extra pang to my chest, I forced my grief down. To be handled at another time.

We had no time for unnecessaries. I looked up, taking a deep breath to steal myself as I stepped away from Twilight. "We should look for the others." I didn't believe there was anyone on the island. Besides maybe the chain. But... Marin, Tarin... that snotty prince..... anyone else from my first time here. I severely doubted they'd be here. And be here alive to boot.

Twilight seemed to catch that something was undeniably wrong. That or he just accepted I knew this place. He nodded his head, shooting me that concerned look he always gave Wild. I resist the urge to snap, I'm not Wild. I don't need someone to baby me. I didn't give him a chance to speak. "The prairie is a good idea to start."