#violet27writes

They’d made it to the computer room, shooting down droids along the way. Echo focused his attention on the data socket. The others broke away to do their own jobs: Wrecker to set more detonators, Hunter and Tech to make their way to the last-known location of some locals who had been locked up, and Crosshair to provide cover fire outside while Echo was preoccupied.

Kneeling down, Echo inserted his scomp-arm into the computer, letting the numbers and code flood his mind. He immediately found the controls to bolt down both entrances to the room, locking him in. Now all he needed to do was to find the data they were looking for, then shut down the power to the separatist base just like he’d done dozens of times over now.

It was a bit strange, being back on the right side of the war. Here he was, searching for the oncoming plans to support his brothers and his Republic rather than being the one to make the strategies that could destroy them. The very thing that made him their adversary was now what could save them. He would do his part until his last life caught up with him.

There. He pulled on the information, letting it settle onto his mind so he could send it to the Marauder and the Resolute after the mission. It was quick and easy, revealing that this information wasn’t as expansive as they had been led to believe. There wasn’t enough time to properly sift through it, but hopefully, it would still be as important. Once that was done, he let himself be pulled back to his body. The code rushed past him as his consciousness flew. It was not dissimilar to being tugged by a physical lifeline, although the anchor was his body, not a winch and pulley.

Echo blinked as he was again ‘aware.’ The sounds of battle filled his ears: Basterfire, whirring, shouts, and crashing. He took a moment to regain feeling in his limbs. His left hand supported him against the wall. His legs twitched as he manually checked their connection where they kneeled on the ground. It seemed all was well.

Time to go.

The scomp spun, still inside the computer. He started to disconnect and pull it out when- Pain ran up his arm, electricity surging through wires and circuits. The air in his lungs stuttered. The socket locked up, leaving Echo unable to pull away from the computer’s last-minute defense. He was stuck.

Had Echo been any less of a man, the power surge would have shut him down. Overloaded components. Rendered his modifications useless. But Echo was no droid. Nor was this place any Lola Sayu. He stayed upright as the electricity flooded his body, joints locking and prosthetics unmoving from the power influx. His entire frame shook along with the shocks. Echo gritted his teeth, hanging onto the thought of getting out of this dreadful place.

His head buzzed. It felt full of static. He didn’t quite realize why until-

“-cho! Answer!” A voice yelled through the comms.

He couldn’t find the words to respond.

A curse followed shortly after. More instructions were given, though Echo gave up trying to comprehend the words. He was losing this fight with consciousness.

The room rumbled from some kind of explosion, followed shortly by Wrecker’s manic laughter from the comms. Worryingly, even that didn’t shock him back to awareness.

One of the doors blocking off the computer room flew open. His eyes turned to it, expecting to see one of his squadmates. Instead, two dozen battle droids flooded in, all blasters aimed at him.

No no no no. Not again.

The electricity flowing from the computer was still burning. His flesh hand twitched beneath, while the rest of his body still trembled. Echo couldn’t move- there was nothing he could do to escape or to defend himself.

This was not Lola Sayu. His squad knew something was wrong- The comms were still filled with aggressive chatter.

A droid broke from its formation to step up to the controls.

This was not the citadel. His brothers were on their way.

The socket pulled him forward, trying to bring him back into the computer. Trying to do something. He didn’t know what.

The second door behind him opened without a sound. He knew he was surrounded.

“Echo!”

Although he knew he was hardly in the clearest mindset, he would not forget what happened next.

The droids were all pushed back by some invisible gust of wind that Echo couldn’t feel. Falling back and crashing to the ground. Then their frames crumpled, as if crushed, circuits flashing and metal crunching. Each one destroyed beyond repair. It happened quickly. Echo wasn’t sure if he believed what his eyes saw.

The world went silent.

If it weren’t for the fact that Echo knew their squad was the only Republic forces here, he would’ve thought a Jedi was standing behind him. His neck was still stuck in place, preventing him from figuring out who this person was.

Tech and Hunter appeared from the first door, their faces marked with shock and resolve. Then, the first door slammed shut, and the panel on the wall was hit with a blaster bolt, locking it in place.

Tech ran straight for the computer. Hunter kneeled beside him, lips moving, but mouth not making a sound. He looked behind Echo. Talking some more.

A minute later, the socket unlocked, rejecting his scomp and forcing it out. The electricity lingered, but lessened dramatically.

Hunter didn’t catch him time. But someone else did.

Echo wasn’t awake long enough to figure out who.

- - -

Echo came back to consciousness with a start. The memory of electricity still runs though him. Exhaustion sits on his frame- the ache thrums on his bones. But now relative quiet is what meets him rather than the sounds of the battle. He uses the moment to take in his surroundings.

First, the frame underneath him is not cold durasteel, but instead the hard form that GAR instists is a mattress. Hunter’s thin blanket is what’s draped over him- not a surgical cloth. He caresses his thumb over what has to be Wrecker’s Lula doll. Everything rumbles steadily beneath him, matching the perhaps over-modified engine of the Havoc Marauder. It nearly lulls him back to sleep.

Instead, he blinks into the dim lights of their quarters, catching the ray of light from the bow of the ship. In the next room, several voices go back in forth in easy conversation. He can’t quite catch the words. All he knows is, after a moment, the voices trail off, which results in Wrecker whining over something.

Hunter steps through the entrance to the ‘barracks,’ an odd expression on his features. It shifts into a probably-soft smile. He walks up to the bunk. Crosshair’s bunk (Thankfully; the hammock wouldn’t have been as pleasant).

“Had us worried there for a minute.”

Echo doesn’t quite have the strength to answer beyond a bashful look.

He remembers the strange event that happened before he lost consciousness. How all his enemies were knocked back and crushed from seemingly nothing. It had to be the force. A jedi? Echo doesn’t know. At the moment, he’s not too concerned over it.

Perhaps he’ll ask in the morning.

“Rest. We can bebrief once you’re upright.” Hunter says, seeming to read his mind. Though it’s not quite an order.

Wild blinked at him. The back of his mind told him that something was off. If he had been a little more aware, maybe he would’ve noticed the haggardness of the Traveler’s appearance. Or the solemn look in his eyes. Or the fact that the glow that surrounded Hyrule was very dim- the telltale sign of low magic that only Wild could sense.

However, none of this set off any warnings at him. Instead, he threw back the blanket that had lain over him with a thoughtless ‘hmm,’ barely noticing the wolf pelt that had sat on top.

The low talking slowed to a stop. Other than Hyrule’s, which he ignored. Wild looked up to see what had been going on.

Not too far off, most of the others sat in an odd shape- Wind huddled up next to Wars. Four sat further off, sleeping. Holding a bloodied Sky. Legend was nearby holding a book. Time and Twilight weren’t in sight-

Wait. “Sky!?” He shot to his feet- only to find himself back on the ground. The pain in his skull flared up, reminding him (again) of his injury.

“Wild, you need to slow down.” Hyrule reprimanded. He sat next to him and helped him back into a sitting position.

But the Champion was stunned, “Sky’s here! He’s back. And he’s hurt!”

Hyrule simply looked at him. “I know, I know… He’ll be alright. But he’s sleeping right now so we need to let him rest. Okay?”

That was rude. He nodded anyway. Ow. Maybe don’t nod yet.

The Traveler hovered awkwardly. 

Wild blinked down at the soft shirt that was not his- it was one of the Rancher’s sleep shirts. The one with the color of rice pudding. 

Hmm. He could totally go for some pudding right now. Or some rice. That stuff was good…

A finger tapped his forehead. “Ow.” He pulled away.

Legend now sat in front of him, one eyebrow raised. “He’s definitely still out of it.”

“I figured that much,” Hyrule said, “Maybe I should-” “No.” Legend said firmly, “No more magic, you’re exhausted enough.”

“Just a little?”

“No.”

“We need to kill some crabs.” Both of them stopped, eyes turning back to Wild, who stared back with a blank expression.

Legend blinked. “...What?”

“Mmhmm.” Wild elaborated. He didn’t see what was so hard to understand- Rice was great, but it was even better when paired as seafood curry. Which meant he needed to restock his inventory for dinner. Obviously.

The other teens had no further response.

They were boring; he needed someone who would agree with him. “Imma go sit with Sky now.” Wild shot up, nearly falling back down when his brain seemed to burst from his skull. Someone steadied him. Ledge and Rulie’s back-and-forth talking started up again. His head hurt.

“I’m going. You helping?” He said again, dumbing it down in case they still weren’t getting it.

Legend sighed, brushing off the Traveller. “Better than him hurting himself.” With that, the teens settled on either side of Wild, keeping him vertical. Each step sent another pain through him. (Ow.) And when did he put on Wind’s iron boots? His feet were so heavy.

A glance down at his feet revealed them to be bare, his toes now covered in dirt. Hmm…

Anyway, he looked back up and was immediately met with a dizzy spell. 

“Okay, that’s close enough.” Legend declared.

Wild was set on the ground. Right next to Four and… “Sky!”

“SHHH!” Ledge and ‘Rule hissed in unison. 

Four peeked open an eye to glare at the trio. He softened once he saw the Champion. Straightening up, the Smith turned his full gaze back to the other teens, “Alright, now go find something else to do, you two.”

“But-” “Go.”

Wild watched as they left: Legend, of course, in a huff, steps loud and movement exaggerated- At least Hyrule looked apologetic in his much quieter departure.

Before pulling his feet into a cross-cross, Wild shifted closer to the pair still on the ground. Then, for a moment, he just took in Sky’s appearance, eyes lingering on every obvious wound. The dried red on his torso was the most worrisome one. It was reminiscent of the red and white kikoi he usually had tied around his waist, in a way, though the comparison couldn’t have been more different.

The kind hero was never meant to be hurt like this. Even Wild’s muddled mind knew that.

He set the back of a hand carefully on Sky’s head, just as his mind told him to do when someone was under the weather. It just wouldn’t tell him why the motion was important. He heard Four chuckle softly.

Satisfied with the temperature, Wild ran his hand up, combing his fingers through the other’s hair. It was tangled. Not dissimilar to the natural state of his own hair. It would need a wash- Maybe he could steal some of Warriors’ stuff; it was much nicer than the soap Sky tended to use.

Soft blue eyes blinked up at him. Wild smiled.

With a sharp inhale, Sky froze. Four also stiffened in response to the movement.

Wild fell back, immediately regretting the sudden movement as his skull lit up in pain. Then, it was silent.

Once he regained some sense about him, Wild saw Sky’s gaze jump to his hip, searching back and forth. Right where his Slate usually sat, but now held nothing, not even the holster for it. Is that what he was looking for? “I don’t know where my… Sheikah Slate is right now.” He paused to peer out at the campsite. Nope. It must have been in someone’s bag.

Sky seemed to breathe again. 

“Truly?” He asked quietly. His soft and gentle voice was scratchy and hoarse.

“Mmhmm.” Wild responded.

Sky inhaled again, slowly exhaling this time rather than holding it. He made an effort to move his arm, but stopped once he realized that the limb was pinned to his chest. That, along with the sheer amount of bandages covering it. 

Then, even though his expression was full of fear and unease, Sky held out his left hand. Fingers outstretched toward the Champion.

Four stayed quiet through the exchange. Eyes intense and piercing. Simply Watching. Waiting.

Wild moved slowly, used to being gentle with wildlife, especially injured animals. He grasped onto Sky’s hand, warmth rising in him.

Sky pulled him closer to himself, until Wild was close enough that he could lean in and give him a great big hug. However, he didn’t quite trust his uncoordinated limbs to do so without jostling the other’s injury. 

It seemed the Chosen Hero didn’t care. He rose partially from Four’s grip so he could rest his head against Wild. Close enough to a hug: the Champion brought his other arm up to support and cradle his head, fingers once again brushing through the dirty blond locks. They still needed a good wash.

They stayed in the awkward, half-hug for as long as Sky had the strength to sit up. It was both too short and just right when the hero collapsed back onto Four. Wild still rubbed gently at the shoulder above his injured arm.

They smiled at each other.

Until Wild had to mess it up.

The stupid part of his brain broke the silence with “What hurt your arm?”

Sky’s gaze sharpened, and his frame stiffened. Though he made no effort to pull away from him or flee. His expression filled with confusion, brows furrowing.

Other than the breath of nature, the only sound the duo made was their footfalls, too tense to hold any semblance of conversation. Now, as a southerner, Twilight could make any conversation welcoming and easygoing, holding the sickly sweet facade for as long as the occasion called for. Even if the world was falling apart, ‘country charm’ could convince you otherwise. He was certain Time could do the same, if not at least play along, but Twilight had the impression that stewing in anxious silence was still miles better than trying to hold a meaningless conversation. So the silence it was.

Although, the anxious silence came with anxious thoughts. About Sky. About what exactly he had been through. He had been missing for four weeks. All his belongings had been left behind, he’d simply disappeared, and no clue or hint of struggle gave them any traction of his whereabouts. In response, Twilight and the others had raided nearly every monster camp they’d come across, pleaded with each traveler for any information, and searched high and low. And of course this had happened in Wild’s era, the biggest and most spread apart time among them. It had been an agonizing month as they found nothing. Until, that is, a Yiga-disguised traveler had attacked, but had been too slow to get away before Twilight was on top of him, pinning him down. 

Sky was at the old Yiga base.

When they’d arrived, various monsters milled about, and dozens of Yiga lay inside. Unfortunately for them, eight angry heroes didn’t allow them to put up much of a fight. And that’s when they’d found him, battered, beaten, and effectively broken.

Last Twilight had seen him, Sky was bundled up and fretted over by everyone who was still conscious when he and Time had broken off for a supply run.

Twilight didn’t want to think too hard on what their brother had experienced during that month. Torture? Indefinitely so. The dastard behind it all? Gone. They’d fought nothing but goons and lackeys during their battle. By the time they’d gotten to Sky many of his injuries were older and scabbed over, meaning that whoever was responsible for the cruel mistreatment of his brother was long gone. Even Wild had no clues about who, although a concussion was already plaguing him by then.

For his own sake, the dastard would never get close to Sky again. Or else they might not live to see tomorrow. If he got his hands on them-

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. They stopped as Time met his gaze, “We’re nearly there, so let’s not get lost in thoughts.”

Twilight merely nodded, not knowing whether to be impressed at the fact Time had basically heard his thoughts, or intimidated by it. They continued on, their pace speeding back up as they walked. But no longer in silence.

“Time…” Twilight started, but he paused his words, unsure of what exactly he had been about to ask. Asking if Sky would be okay was a loaded question. They left not soon after he’d startled awake, punched Warriors in the face, and then passed out again, so at least he was still fighting. However, he had been through a lot, and mentally, Twilight wondered how long those wounds would take to heal. That wasn’t something Time could answer.

He could ask if they were going to track down the dastard behind it, but it would be a fruitless search with a fruitless end in Wild’s huge world. Whenever the moment would be when they switch eras would also cause their efforts to have been in vain. No matter how badly he wanted it, revenge would be unwise. So he didn’t ask that.

Instead, he glanced over at his ancestor, “How can we help him?”

The words hung in the air for too long, to the point where Twilight was beginning to wonder about that question too. Was it bold to assume he had any right or capacity to help with such an experience?

“However we can.” Time finally answered. His gaze was pinned ahead of them. “If Sky needs strength, we will hold him up. If quiet, then we will silently comfort. If he’s holding on to his last scraps of courage, we will fill in the gaps with pieces of ourselves and show that a hero’s spirit cannot be quenched by darkness…” It was then that Time finally met his gaze, “But above all, we will be there.”

Twilight allowed the smile to play on his lips, “You should write a play with that fancy language, Old Man. But I fully agree.

“Thank you.”

Time smiled back.

Eventually, the edges of the campsite fell into view, illuminated both by the falling sun and the young fire sitting in its center. 

Warriors was leaned over Hyrule, who was standing around the cookpot, the former looking a little green at whatever vile contents filled the pot. Legend and Wind were nearby, seeming to have a civil bickering match, with Wild half-listening to them while flipping through his slate, bandages still wrapped around his head. And far on the other side of camp, Four read a book with an unconscious Sky leaned in close. 

Camp quieted down when he and Time arrived. Even Four looked up from his book. Something had happened. That much was evident by the atmosphere of the others.