Chapter Text
They made their way back inside, where Headmaster Gaepora was waiting. Owlan told the other students to wait outside the Headmaster's room as Link went inside alone. Groose and Cawlin seemed to stick around them out of sheer curiosity.
What was up with that weird.. blue spirit thing, anyway? And why the hell were they treating them like friends? Just a couple hours ago they were at each other's throats..
Owlan ran into the room, shutting the double-doors behind him.
"Gaepora! There's something we need to discuss-"
Gaepora chuckled, smiling warmly as he shook his head. "No need, Owlan. I had a feeling something else was going on.." His attention shifted to the sword on Link's back. "Where did you get that sword, Link? It doesn't look quite like anything I've seen on Skyloft.."
Link explained what happened in the chamber once again to the Headmaster, who listened in interest as he was told about the sword and the spirit that inhabited it. Link could tell exactly what was on Gaepora's mind though- the tornado incident was still living in everyone's heads rent free..
"Link- is.. is Zelda- Is she-"
Link gave him a warm smile.
"Zelda's alive.. According to Fi, she apparently somehow survived the fall below the clouds.. "
"Oh.. thank goodness.. Zelda- M-my baby girl.."
Gaepora broke into a shaky smile before bursting into tears, giving Link the most genuine hug he had ever gotten from anyone.
Link had known Gaepora for as long as he could remember; way back when he and Zelda were young children. Link's parents had left him in Gaepora's care about a month before his mother passed- She was terribly sick with a fatal illness.. one that would ultimately cost her life. His father, overwhelmed with grief- left Skyloft one day and never came back. No one ever knew what had become of him.
As a result, Link had come to accept Gaepora as a kind of parent or guardian in his life. They weren't related by blood - but that didn't matter. He was family all the same.
Gaepora calmed down, about to dismiss Link- but he paused for a minute as if there was something else on his mind.
"Headmaster? Is there something else you want to talk about..?" Link asked as Gaepora sighed.
"Well- yes, I suppose I do. Your friends.. Pipit, Karane, and Fledge.. they were very worried about you, after you passed out. Pipit was actually the one to find you, sprawled out on the back of your Loftwing.
"Link gasped in surprise. "R-really.. Wow, that's honestly just like him.."
Gaepora chuckled. "You four and Zelda were always so close.. I have no doubt they'll miss you when you leave.."
Indeed, they had grown up together, almost like siblings. Sure there were hiccups.. but that was part of every friendship.
"Yeah.. Fi said I was the Goddess's chosen one.. and that only I must complete this mission.." Link sighed, his voice tinged with longing.
Part of Link really did want his friends to be able to come along.. but If it was supposed to be only him- he didn't want to disobey the Goddess.
"Oh.. well, I suppose that makes sense.." Gaepora chuckled with a touch of sadness as he gazed at the door, almost as if he could see Link's classmates behind it.
Suddenly, Fi came out of the sword, making Gaepora stumble back in shock.
"Master.. According to my analysis, that is not what you truly desire. Your thoughts indicate that you want your friends to be able to come along.." Fi nodded to themself in agreement.
"You.. can hear my thoughts..?" Link gasped in awe.
"That is correct, Master Link. A spirit companion such as myself must be equipped with the proper communication skills.. including the ability to read minds. As for your friends.. I see no negative outcome in letting them join us; they seem to share quite the bond with you." Fi answered robotically. In fact; our chances of finding Zelda would increase exponentially with more people."
"Y-you- you don't mind, Fi? Great! I'll go tell them right away! Um- Thank you, Headmaster! " Link called as he called Fi back into the sword and dashed out of the Headmaster's room.
“He’s growing up so fast..”
The others were talking amongst themselves as Link opened the door with a beaming smile. Strangely, Groose and Cawlin were nowhere to be found.
"Hey, guys! Guess what? Fi told me you guys can come along with me! T-That is, if you want to.." Link chuckled nervously.
At that, Groose couldn't help but start listening in from around the corner.
"Are you kidding me?! That sounds AWESOME!!" Pipit exclaimed in surprise. "Of COURSE I'd love to come! It'll take a minute to convince my mom, though.."
"Count me in! I'd love to join you guys, too!" Karane beamed, hugging both Link and Pipit. "We'd just need enough equipment to go around.. "
Link, Pipit, and Karane turned to Fledge, who was practically shaking in his boots.
Fledge.. wasn't exactly the most adventurous person. He preferred to be cautious, sticking with what he understood- in this case being the sky. Link couldn't blame him- the Surface was a whole new world.. no living human knew what was down there, and most people just assumed it was a barren wasteland.
Not to mention the fact that Groose would always terrorize Fledge when they were kids- spooking the poor boy with tall tales about monsters roaming the lands below the clouds.
Despite being much older now at 16, Fledge was still much more prone to getting spooked compared to his peers. As a result, he often viewed himself as being weak and helpless.
"I- I'm not sure.. I would love to be able to go on an adventure with you.. I just.. I don't know if I can handle it.." He sighed shakily as Link patted his shoulder to comfort him. "W-What do you think?"
"Don't worry about it! I have no idea what could be down there, but whatever happens, we'll face it together." Link affirmed, thumping his chest confidently. "Besides, I know you can do this. You're way more brave than you give yourself credit for."
Fledge gazed up at Link with sparkling eyes before pulling him into a tight hug. Pipit and Karane joined in too, showing their friend their support.
"T-Thanks, guys.." Fledge choked out as he embraced Link and the others. "I've made up my mind.. I'll come with you guys."
"Yeah! Glad to have ya on board!" Karane exclaimed happily.
Groose snorted under his breath as he watched from afar.
"You've gotta be kidding me.. Zelda's out who knows where, and they're wasting time with a pointless HUG? Unbelievable!" He scoffed, crossing his arms. Cawlin nodded in silence.
Suddenly, the sword began to glow again as Fi emerged from it.
"Master.. According to my readings, it is very late. You and your friends should get some rest for the long journey tomorrow.."
"Good idea. I should probably go talk to my mom about tomorrow.." Pipit yawned as he walked off. "G'night.."
"Yeah, I should probably hit the sack. I'm exhausted!" Karane laughed, heading to her dorm room.
This is getting nowhere.. I'm out." Groose sighed as he dragged himself to his room.
Then Link and Fledge were left all alone. It was silent for a few seconds before Fledge spoke up.
"Link.. I just want to say.. Thanks for always sticking by my side. You've always been such a great friend to me.." Fledge sniffled, attempting to hold back tears. "Even when we were kids.. you've been nothing but kind- you've defended me against Groose countless times! I don't know what I would do without you around here.."
"Fledge.." Link gasped, tears beginning to sparkle in his eyes as he brought his friend into a bone-crushing hug.