Chapter Text
“Question,” Chat asked as he leaned slightly to look down at Hyrule as they floated away from Hyrule Castle and up to the Great Sky Island. “Why isn’t this an everyday mode of travel? It took me an entire day to get to the Plateau from the Dueling Peaks Stable! We could get to the Gerudo Highlands in a couple hours like this.”
“Do you have any idea how many horse and carriage accidents there are in Hyrule?” Robbie asked as he piloted the ship closer to the island. “And that’s just on regular land! Adding a second dimension Hyllia knows how many units in the air to potential fatalities isn’t exactly a good idea. Can’t imagine what a sky full of balloons would be like for accidents.”
“And, the batteries that power this thing are rare.” Added Adrien. “They’re Zonai tech from millenia ago, they recharge seemingly infinitely, but we have no idea if they’ll eventually break years or centuries into the future.”
“Right-o!” Agreed Robbie. “If we build on the backs of what we don’t understand, we build on an unsteady foundation! Once we understand and replicate Zonai Tech, we can go on building as we please!”
They would arrive at the observatory, where Robbie would park the airship and allow the balloon to deflate.
“What is that ?!” Chat whistled, impressed at the mega structure in the distance.
“Temple of Time,” Adrien answered. “There’s ancient artefacts in there, stuff that could level Hyrule if it got into the wrong hands. The thing that turned Mom into a dragon is in there.”
“You mentioned that.” Chat recalled. “I still haven’t heard the whole story there.”
“You’re in luck!” Robbie chirruped. “The show you’re about to see goes over that tale!”
The child-like scientist would take them on a tour of the Hyrulian Galaxy, as well as a lesson on recent history as it concerned the Upheaval, Adrien and Chat laid back as they stared up at a rounded dome that showed them the stars in detail, a projection that was, seemingly, a regular viewing.
Chat figured that it had to be a prepared show for when school trips were had and not what actual astrologists and meteorologists were watching all day.
The show was over in about two hours, and by that time the boys were famished .
“Gramps,” Adrien said, standing and stretching his arms above his head. “Could you drop us off closer to home? Tired n’ hungry.”
“Awe, I swear I’ve got some grilled fish somewhere ‘round here if you’re hungry,” Robbie offered, pouting slightly.
“Thanks but no thanks, Robbie,” Yawned Chat. “Today’s been a lot.”
“If I must,” the seemingly young scientist sighed, mightily disapointed that he now had to leave his sanctuary of science and engineering.
“Gotta…” Chat yawned again, holding Adrien’s sleeve between his thumb and pointer finger. “Gotta come back during the day…I’m really hungry, my head’s dizzy…”
“Might be the altitude,” Adrien chuckled, leading Chat back onto the airship. “But yes, also food.”
Robbie would pilot them back to the castle, the rest of Castle Town turned down for the night with streetlights on, candles in windows, a few late night pubs, bars and other such establishments still up and going. He didn’t land, but hovered a scant few inches above the ground of a courtyard, and Chat and Adrien easily hopped off before the scientist flew to dock the ship elsewhere.
Adrien led a very sleepy Chat inside, where they were quickly met with a butler (who had seen them arriving from a distance, as airships were relatively slow) and told that their dinner would be brought to Adrien’s room, as Chat was clearly in no shape to be sit down for food.
Adrien would thank them for their consideration, and carried Chat on his back to his sitting room. Chat was already dozing when they entered with food, leaning on Adrien’s shoulder on the couch, forcing himself to eat so he could sleep.
Eventually, they slugged off to bed.
-
Adrien was woken with a pillow being slapped on his face. “Hunh?!” He gasped, shooting straight up in bed.
“Up n’ attem!” Chat shouted, sitting on his brothers knees and almost in his ear. “Time for school!”
“Guh, Chat .” Adrien groaned, falling back flat on the bed. “Why are you excited about staying inside all day for lessons ?”
“Adrien, I lived in a world with very limited magic and none of the history you have,” Chat reminded him. “I am going to be the biggest goddamn nerd Hyrule has ever seen, and I. Want. To. Go. To. School! ”
“You are already the biggest nerd Hyrule has ever seen,” Adrien promised with a snort, rolling himself out of bed, arms stretching above his head and yawning. “But fiiine. If you insist. You can borrow one of my spare uniforms for now.”
“Great! Let’s go.” Chat hummed, delighted, jumping off his brother to go to the massive closet and dressing room right to his bedroom.
Adrien threw off the blankets, right behind him and oddly, eager to go as well.
They rode down the path into Castle Town on Bing Bong, Chat riding behind his brother as they sped down the winding, floating cobblestone and into the city and towards the academy in the distance.
“C’mon, let’s go get breakfast,” Adrien yawned, walking with Chat under his arm.
“I can see why you’d rather get an apartment down here rather than travel that every morning,” Chat laughed, shaking his head and pushing his fringe back down.
“It’s a real pain, I gotta tell you,” He chuckled.
While in uniform (long grey pants, simple leather shoes, a black button up and a navy blue blazer with deep red lining, golden buttons and golden embroidery) nobody seemed to pay any notice to them as they entered the school and populated halls.
Purah was there in the cafeteria when they arrived, apparently on the supervision rotation to look over Castle Town’s student population as they had their breakfast, which was a rather simple rice porridge, toast, fruit and fried sausage.
“Adrien, Chat,” She greeted when she saw them. “I didn’t expect you back so soon. I heard you went up to the observatory with Robbie last night.”
“We did,” Adrien yawned again. “Chat’s a nerd though, so now we’re here.”
Purah approached, taking up Chat’s hands into hers. “You’re my new favorite!” She declared, stars in her eyes.
Adrien gasped fakely, looking offended. “ Headmistress! ”
“Hush you, the pursuit of knowledge is vital and this one is from another world .” Purah said simply.
Chat laughed a bit awkwardly. “That’s…thank you, Madam Purah. I really just wanted to be treated as normal, though…?”
“Of course, of course,” Purah released his hands, putting one on her hip and the other scratching the back of her head. “But if you have some time in the future, possibly even when you return for good, I would like to have a long sit down with tea. I’m really so curious about the place you left.”
Chat nodded, smiling. “Sure, I’d love to. At the end of all this, though.”
Purah smiled. “Thank you kindly! I’ll alert your teachers that you’re here.”
“Just one thing,” Adrien called before she was about to leave. “Chat can’t quite read Hylian yet, so…”
Purah blinked, thinking for a moment. “You were blind,” She said, lightly flicking the space between Chat’s eyebrows. “And developments in medical technology have only recently healed your eyes, and thus you were unable to learn Hylian at the appropriate age. Simple, hm? We’ll begin a supplementary lesson plan in order to catch you up and send it with you before you leave Castle Town.”
“T-thank you!” Chat said, blinking with the slight flick. “Thank you so much, Madam Purah!”
The woman smiled, nodding. “Now go eat. I think your class has a sword lesson today for P.E.”
“Oh, Gods, okay, c’mon, Chat. Load up on the meats,” Adrien advised, pulling Chat into the serving line.
-
“Class, today I’d like to introduce a very interesting addition to the school,” Josha called, hands clapping for calm. “As you’ve noticed, Adrien has returned to us but it is only temporary. He’s come with a guest, his twin brother!”
Shocked gasps and astonished shouting sounded from all over as Josha shouted for calm.
“Now!” She called over the clamour. “We will not overwhelm our new classmate with questions, okay? He’s agreed to a few, and only a few. We’ll give ten minutes for questions, alright? After that, we will be resuming as normal . Understand?”
“Yeeesss,” The class chorused back.
Josha motioned to the door, and ‘the twins’ walked in.
An amazed wave of murmurs sounded as they were revealed. “Whoa! How can we tell them apart?!”
“Chat has baby ears,” Adrien pointed out. “And he was blind for a long time, because he was sick.”
Chat smiled slightly. “But I’ve gotten better now,” he promised. “So, please, treat me as any other classmate.”
“Where were you all this time?!”
“I was in Akkala for a long time, being treated for my sickness,” Chat explained. “But when our 17th came around, I was able to start travelling with our Dad!”
“Wait…wait, the Abduction at Hateno-!” Someone called. “Was that-?!”
Chat nodded again. “They succeeded in stealing a prince, but they didn’t know there were two of us at the time.”
Gasps abounded, and questions about the entire fiasco began. Chat was trying to answer, but it was clear he was losing the plot a little, trying to keep every white lie straight.
But then, Adrien grabbed Chat’s shoulder, and pulled him behind him. Josha for quiet once more, and decided that was enough and that class would begin. There was a slight desk shuffle so that Adrien and Chat could sit next to each other.
Morning was social studies, a short break, and then a maths class.
Maths was easier. Chat paid as much attention as he could, translating the various maths symbols towards ones he knew, but he was very glad that at least numbers were the same in Hyrule as they were in Paris.
The bell rang for the lunch hour. “Hey, Chat!” A voice called from behind just as Chat was finishing off the assigned sheet of maths questions. “Sorry about this morning, not much exciting stuff happens around here so finding out there’s a second prince and all, suppose it got us riled up a bit.”
Chat’s head lifted, and he smiled.
Mylene! But of course, Hylian. She was wearing long braids instead of dreadlocks, a few with different colours woven in, and her headband was the same navy as the uniform, and she had a load of buttons still on her lapel. She wore the slate grey uniform shorts, but also had black leggings beneath.
“I’d imagine it was a shock,” Chat chuckled slightly. “No hard feelings or anything. Chat Vi Hyrule, nice to officially meet you!”
“Mylene,” She introduced herself. “If you ever need any help with the science bits of class, you can call me, okay? The best review is teaching another, after all.”
“Brainy, huh? Thanks, I’ll remember that,” Chat hummed with a smile. “I’m definitely going to need some help with the language arts, I’m way below my little sister in proficiency…Any idea who could tutor me in those?”
“Definitely Marc,” Mylene said after a moment of consideration. “He’s in another class. My boyfriend is doing a band practice today, and Marc usually comes with me to see them play. If you want, I could introduce you?”
“Yes, please!” Chat said, excited.
“Then I’ll meet you out front after class today?”
Chat nodded. “Yeah, sounds good! I’m looking forward to it!”
“I’ll see you later then,” Mylene smiled, and left with his remaining math problems and Adrien right beside him.
“Look at you, already making friends,” Adrien hummed. “Good choice, Mylene is a real sweetheart.”
“I knew her on my side too,” Chat said simply. “If Ivan isn’t with her, then…he’s not in school, is he? Taking a trade?”
“He’s a musician in his off time, sells salt as his main gig,” Adrien said. “Mines it all over Hyrule. I think that’s how they met.”
“Ivan and Mylene?” Chat asked, curious as he packed up his things. “How?”
“I don’t remember all the details, but Mylene is an environmental enthusiast,” Adrien recalled. “She and he met when one of them got stuck in the wilderness.”
“Cute, but that’s so dangerous,” Chat winced, chuckling slightly.
“Eh, it’s something you can ask them later. I’m sure they’d love to gush about their meet-cute.” Adrien chuckled. “C’mon, I think there’s pizza in the cafeteria for lunch!”
“I haven’t had any since Lurelin!” Chat said, grinning. “Let’s go! Starving.”
-
Chat was popular in the cafeteria, as to be expected as many came to meet the ‘new’ royalty. Word spread fast that he couldn’t read Hylian, and many were offering to tutor him! But Chat wasn’t quite ready to accept any help yet, since they’d be on their way soon enough and Purah was already putting something together for him.
Chat, more on reflex than anything, grabbed onto Adrien’s blazer sleeve when it was getting to be a bit too much.
“Two steps back!” Adrien announced suddenly, and everyone immediately obeyed. “Please, move on! We would like to eat, thank you!”
There was a slight murmur of disappointment, but everyone did as commanded and shuffled off to their own lunches.
“Thank you,” Chat whispered, relieved as he slouched against his brother.
Adrien just chuckled, cheek tilting into Chat’s blonde head. “You’ll get a hang of the King Voice one of these days. I’ll read grandpa’s diaries to you, that’s where I learned it from.”
Chat huffed, smiling. They continued their lunch in peace thereon out.
-
After lunch was physical education, which was separated by race type. Gerudo girls were with Hylian boys and girls, but Rito, Goron and Zora each had their own PE classes.
Chat didn’t have a gym kit on hand, but he managed to buy one from the store before class started, which was just shorts, a t-shirt and cleats.
And, unfortunately, Chat was separated from the others for some individual testing inside with the gym teacher Miru, a Gerudo woman while her assistant drilled everyone else on stretches, sprints and push ups for warm ups outside in a sand pit.
Chat had to prove he was capable of the work, after all. Just his and his brothers’ promise that Chat had climbed a mountain once wasn’t nearly enough, and it wasn’t like Link was a phone call away to vouch for the formerly ‘sickly’ prince’s health.
It wasn’t anything Chat hadn’t gone through before. A timed lap around the gym, how many side steps, push ups, and situps he could do in a minute, a grip strength tester and a flexibility test.
“Well, if you were sickly for most of your life, you’d certainly fooled me.” Miru hummed, noting down his times.
“Eheheh…yeah, travelling around Dad these past two months has really put some meat on my bones…” Chat said sheepishly. “He’s not exactly a forgiving teacher.”
Miru chuckled, tapping her pen to the clipboard. “I’d imagine. Well, we’re not The Hero of the Wilds, so hopefully you’re not too bored learning from us.”
“Many sources make a better fighter, in my opinion,” Chat said simply. “I’m looking forward to seeing what other people can do, y’know?”
“That’s a good attitude to have,” Miru hummed. “I’d say this is safe to call your warm up, so you can join up with the others for sword training. Maybe we can give you a couple new bruises to show your father.”
“Looking forward to it,” Chat laughed, jogging out to join the others on the pitch.
Just in time! They were gearing up!
In somewhat stinky leather armour, but…Better than just going at it with t-shirts and shorts.
From there, it was about an hour and a half of swinging with wooden swords, practising dodge’s and parries against one another.
The class was nearing its end, Chat was right behind his brother, wooden sword in hand…and the strangest feeling began to rise up inside him…
His muscles were well worked, he was drenched in sweat beneath smelly leather armour, his hands were still shaking from the impact of wooden blade against wooden blade, wooden shield still on his arm, but the hand holding his sword still raised.
Chat bonked Adrien directly on his helmeted head.
His brother flinched under the light hit, and turned slowly. “So you’ve chosen death.” he said lowly, getting into a stance.
Chat didn’t bother with a stance, just rushing at his brother for one last quick bout, aiming mostly at Adrien’s head and beaning him once more to throw him to the sand.
“Oof! Jerk-!” Adrien yelped as he collapsed.
Chat came forward as Adrien fell flat on his back, sitting next to him and collapsing back himself, head to tail with his brother.
“You’re an asshole,” Adrien informed his brother lightly, letting go of the shield and sword, taking off his helmet.
“Don’t blame me because you were unprepared,” scoffed Chat, staring at the big blue sky. “You think an enemy is going to wait till you’ve got everything in order?”
“...Well, you’ve got me there.” Adrien huffed, amused.
“Thanks for indulging me today,” Chat said. “Coming to school, and all.”
A whistle sounded. “You might be royalty at home, you two, but here you are students first and foremost!” Miru shouted. “Pick yourselves up, clean off what you’re wearing and hit the showers!”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Adrien sighed, sitting up. “Because we have History next. Ready to learn about the ancient but not ancient enough to be cool history?”
“Of course!” Chat chirped.
The pair of twins got up, taking their leather armour to storage where they’d spend the next fifteen minutes wiping it down, returning it and the swords and shields, then making a sprint for the showers.
They only barely made it to class before the bell rang.
-
“The Mandate of Hylia…” Chat said as they walked out of the school. “Throughout the history of the world, many nations have claimed to be ‘the Original Hyrule’, but such arguments are moot, as they are all ‘Hyrule’ in some form or another. What creates the ‘True Hyrule’ is the Mandate of Hylia, which is blessed upon the nation who currently holds the wielder of the Triforce of Wisdom in the form of a woman of royal blood, who is a direct descendant of the Goddess Hylia. Currently, that is Zelda Hyrule. Oftentimes, the nation that has the Mandate of Hylia also faces against Ganon, a historical evil that hunts the descendants of the Goddess.”
“You really retained a lot in that class,” Adrien noted, impressed. “You know what all that means, though, don’t you?”
“And what does it mean?”
“Once Aryll’s queen, there’s no guarantee that our Hyrule remains the Hyrule, Triforce of Wisdom goes with Mom when she…Y’know.” He sighed softly. “It’s scary to think that all this prosperity could just vanish someday.”
“It won’t, at least, not in our lifetime,” Chat chuckled. “The world Mom and Dad built, it’s solid. Dependable. I have faith in what they’ve made here.”
Adrien let out a soft breath. “I guess you’re right. It’d have to take a lot of mismanagement to get Hyrule to crumble.”
“That, or a war.” Chat said thoughtfully.
“Chat, Adrien!” they could hear Mylene calling. Both turned to look and saw Mylene standing head and shoulders above everyone else.
Chat jogged off towards them, Adrien quickly following after.
Mylene was by the fountain infront of the school, sitting on the shoulder of a massive Goron.
“Mylene!” Chat greeted.
“How was your first day?” She asked, smiling down at them from her boyfriends’ shoulder.
“It was great! Everyone’s really been so kind!” Chat said, elated. “You must be Ivan! It’s nice to meet you!”
Ivan stared down at him, his stone face unreadable…Chat wondered for a second if maybe he’d been too familar with Mylene…
But then he knelt, letting Mylene off. “Round earred Hylian?” He asked.
“Erm…yep, that’s me.” Chat said, head tilting. “Is something the matter?”
“I just came from Goron City,” Ivan explained, reaching into his back pocket. “One of you was over there, he traded me to deliver you something. Didn’t think I’d find you so soon, or that you’d be a prince .”
In Ivan’s massive hand was a small box, wrapped in brown paper and tied up with twine. “One of me…?” He asked, confused as he took up the box.
He pulled the twine, unwrapping the box. Inside was a brilliant yellow gold ring, with a band of crushed rubies at its centre, smooth to the touch, and a note.
To My Prince, Chat Vi Hyrule.
I thought you could use this to replace the black cat ring. It’s Gerudo gold with a Goron rubies, scraps so it wasn’t all that expensive. I’ll be here in Goron City for a while, so if you want to come by and visit, I’d be happy for the company. It’s a good life here, lots of work to be done and the Goron’s are kind, if a bit rough and tumble.
If you come here and want to be respected, I suggest you go to Gut Check Rock first. I haven’t gotten to the top of it yet, so they’re giving me the easy jobs until I can.
If you’re wondering how I knew you’d be in Castle Town and that you lost the ring, you’ll have to come see me to find out.
See you soon, but not too soon, signed,
Viperion the Clear-Sighted.
“Viperion’s in Goron City?” Chat asked, looking at Ivan.
The Goron nodded. “He was forge bitch when I saw him two days ago.”
“...I’m sorry, he was what ?” Asked Adrien, eyebrow raised.
“Forge bitch,” Mylene repeated. “Pumping air into the forges by hand so the masters’ can do their thing.”
“Well, that’s better than what I assumed hearing ‘forge bitch’,” Chat said lightly, smiling as he slid the ring onto the finger he’d had the black cat ring on. His thumb rubbed along the inside of the metal, and it was oddly comforting to have. The ruby was ever so slightly warm, like it had been held tightly in someone else's hand, and he rather enjoyed the sensation.
“Anyway, we were gonna head to Ivan’s for practice,” Mylene said. “Apparently your forge bitch friend taught Ivan a song!”
“Did he now?” Chat asked, smiling.
Ivan nodded. “It was fair payment to deliver the box.”
“Can’t wait to hear it!” Adrien said, excited.
With that, they started walking, chattering excitedly about the song and about Chat’s first experience at the Academy.
-
Ivan’s home was sort of…Flintstone-y to Chat. Like someone had moved a boulder and carved it out into a house, though there were some upper floors that were apparently apartments for Non-Goron folk, as Chat could see a random Rito citizen arriving home through a balcony.
The door to the semi-basement was exceptionally wide to account for his girth as he led them in, straight through to the shared backyard, where a stage was set up.
“Nathie, Marc, Ilak, Pelo,” Ivan ran down the roster, pointing at each. “You got the sheet music I left?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Ive, Buddy, you’re not going to mention the fact there’s a prince with-” Pelos, a Hylian boy with short black hair, began.
“What in Gorondia…?” Ilak, a Gerudo girl, trailed off, actually getting a good look at the pair.
“...I am very confused.” Nathie announced, head flicking between the pair. “Weren’t you travelling with Chat?”
“I am Chat,” Chat chuckled, smiling. “It’s great to see you again, Nath-”
“Nononono,” Nathie said, pointing directly at him. “You are not Chat! I sat with Chat at the Hateno Ball, the entire night!” Nathie dove for his bag on the edge of the stage, frantically shuffling through it to take out his notebook and flipping the pages, showing it to the pair. “I drew him!”
“...Is that seriously how I looked with the ring?” Chat asked.
“I’d say that’s pretty accurate.” Adrien said, slapping a hand on Chat’s back.
The picture had exceptionally shiny golden hair, like it was literally made of gold metal threads, and a toothy grin that showed rather sharp fangs in his mouth. His eyes were ever so slightly yellow-y, edged along the green in a very unusual and unnatural glow. There were subtle differences, the slope of his nose, the curve of his jawline, and overall, the image was a perfect stranger.
“So, you’re… actually Chat Noir?” Asked Nathie, still looking quite suspicious.
“You were the one who found Ms.Lailai and I after the Hateno Abduction, and you’re a fan of Luka. I met him, he's a weird guy.”
“Ohh, it is you…” Nathie said, astonished. “You were a prince this whole time?”
“It was my turn to bite the bullet for that birthday party,” Adrien sighed, a hand on his chest as he collided into Chat’s side like he was exhausted. “He took Kakariko though. We’ve been swapping out.”
“Yeah, I was there at the Domain for your party,” Marc, a reddish-orange Zora, hummed from where he’d been sitting on the stage. “I told Nathie about it but he didn’t believe me at all. It was fortuitous that the proof came walking in.”
“If that’s all you gossipy hens,” Pelos called out as he tuned a guitar. “Check it, Mylene! We’ve been practising this all day!”
Nathie fluttered off the stage to join Chat, Mylene and Adrien in the audience as Ilak, Pelos, Ivan and Marc got into position, Pelos standing upfront as the singer. Chat got a decent look at their set up now that the confusion had petered out. It was not all that dissimilar from what he knew, just that the speaker boxes were wooden without the sound dampening fuzz on the outside. Probably because they weren’t playing at indoor venues. They even had electric guitars!
“Three, two, one-” Ivan announced, clacking his drumsticks together.
[A/N: Listen to NateWantsToBattle’s cover of Inferno by Fire Force for full effect]
“A light unto my darkening
Illuminate the path
Of old familiar days
Now I stay content living a dream
Am I becoming lazy
Living careless and free?
It's a light unto my darkening
What happened to the comfort
Of the streets that we walked?
Now the cold at time is
Worse than it seems
But we can light a fire
And we'll fight it
Now we can find a way
Through the fire and the flames
Now it's burning in my heart
Just like a melody~!”
They stayed for a while as they listened to banger after banger from the band, dancing along to their own private concert.
Unfortunately, they did have to stop. They ran out the allotted time left for their practice and had to start putting things away just as the sun was starting to set.
“Need a hand with it?” Chat asked. “We could help if you want!”
“It might be treason to make a prince clean up,” Snorted Pelos as he wrapped the microphone cable around itself.
“It’s fine,” Ivan assured him. “You’re guests, it’s not right to make you clean up any.”
“Want to come get some iced juice with me?” Nathie invited instead. “I have questions .”
“Ooh, that sounds great, mind if I join?” Mylene asked, smiling.
“Sure, it’s not too late or anything.” Chat hummed, looking to his brother. “Let’s get-”
“Nah, Chat.” Adrien shook his head. “I’m beat . You can go if you’d like, but I’m gonna head home.”
Chat blinked, and an odd feeling filled his gut. It wasn’t disappointment or worry, it was an unfamiliar sort of niggling in his gut.
It was the same sort of excited ants in his knees he’d felt when he left for the Plateau, looking for Bunnyx, and yet…not that exactly.
Going alone through the city without his brother to guide him…? It wasn’t like Chat could get lost , the castle was floating! And hanging out with new friends all on his own…
It was a newfound independence that Chat simply was not used to.
“Okay,” Chat smiled. “I’ll see you at home, then.”
“Bing Bong’s still at the school stable, I’ll leave her for you.” Chat said. “I don’t even want to to think about how tired you’ll be after going back all the way on foot.”
“It’s okay, Adrien!” Nathie chirped. “I can fly him home, no problem.”
“You can take Bing Bong,” Chat insisted, looking towards Nathie. “Thanks, man.”
“It’s on the way anyway, I was here visiting Marc and my mom, she lives at the castle.” Nathie shrugged.
“Alright,” Adrien hummed, slinging on his school bag and taking Chat’s as well. “Be nice to my brother, he’s been sheltered!” He called to the others.
A chuckling chorus of ‘Yes my Prince’ was said in reply.
“I’ll see you at home, and I’m not eating without you so don’t take all night,” Adrien said, grabbing Chat and hugging him quickly. “Later, Chat.”
“Bye, Adrien. Thanks, again.” Chat said, his smile never waning.
Adrien left with both their school messenger bags as Mylene and Nathie began to argue over which place had the better juice.
-
[Hyrule Castle - Adrien’s room]
“Sorry, my dear. If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve stayed back a few more days for you.” Adrien apologised into the screen.
There wasn’t a visual feed, only a spectrogram of Marinette’s voice as it rang from the screen in Adrien’s study. “It's okay, Darling. That is the risk I took when I wanted to surprise you, after all!”
“How is it, over there?”
“I met that girl you’ve mentioned, Ladybug? Quite the piece of work.”
“I know!” Adrien groaned. “I hope she wasn’t too awful or anything to you.”
“Not awful perse.” Marinette sighed. “Just very full of herself. She said something that upset your Dad and said that ‘it shouldn’t bother me’. If it shook The Hero of the Wilds , of course it’d bother me! I called her arrogant over it all, so she’s probably not a fan of me either.”
“Right…” Adrien sighed. “It was probably the soothsayers’ last prophecy, about my brother and I. Suppose she must’ve told him about it.”
“Ah. That makes sense.”
“What about that interaction made you think ‘arrogant’?”
“She’s supposedly a leader of their ‘team’, right?”
“That’s what I was told.”
“The fact she shoulders so much all on her own and refuses any help. She’s struggling so much but still won’t take so much as a friendly hand held out. What else could it be other than stupid, self-sacrificing arrogance?”
Adrien huffed slightly, smirking a bit. “My, if that doesn't remind me of a certain class rep I had growing up.”
“Oh, hush. I got better!” Marinette scoffed.
Adrien smiled. “You did.” He agreed. “Maybe we can hope Ladybug does the same. Regardless, though, it very much isn’t our business anymore. She isn’t swaying anyone, least of all Dad.”
“What’s the plan now?”
“Send them home.” Adrien replied simply. “They have three more round-eared Hylians running around, one in Hebra and two in Gerudo Lands. I’ve been thinking about just sending some envoys to collect them rather than continue this tour trip. I’m not keen on travelling with Ladybug, honestly.”
“She is trying to take your newfound brother away, I could see why that’d be awkward to deal with on the road.” Agreed Marinette. “But wouldn’t it be a bad look for you to cancel in the middle like this? The Goron, Rito and Gerudo might take it as a slight if you abort right as Prince Chat Vi Hyrule was revealed to the public. The people want to meet their new prince.”
Adrien sighed sadly. “Suppose you’re right…Maybe I can just stow away Ladybug elsewhere for the time being. Maybe they can all return to Hateno and me and Chat can just go on. I think Dad would let us on our own, we’ve proven we’re capable enough.”
“Mmn…Maybe.” Marinette sighed, though she sounded unconvinced. She doubted very much that Link would release them on their own, especially with this prophecy business going on.
“A-dri-eeeennn~!” Chat shouted into the room, arriving back from his flight with Nathie. “I’m home!”
“Chat! Come say hi to Marinette,” Adrien invited, motioning his brother over.
Chat entered, and what he had assumed was just a mirror reflected back a pale pink spectrogram on a black background. “Marinette…?”
The spectrogram flickered, and an image came in. Marinette, holding her Purah Pad at arms’ length with a sunset behind her.
“Where are you calling from?” Chat asked excitedly, noticing the quite high vantage point she was sitting at.
“One of the sky islands,” She chirped. “The lower hanging ones above Mipha’s Court. Floating Scales Island!”
“...Didn’t Granny Purah ban you from ever riding a hoverbike again?” Asked Adrien, raising an eyebrow.
“You and your dad are so alike,” Marinette rolled her eyes. “I have the bike, I’m authorised to use it, and I’m on the sky islands. Can that be the end?”
“No it can’t!” Chat said. “You have a hoverbike ?!”
“Right…Guess that hasn’t come up yet, has it?” Adrien hummed thoughtfully. “Only specially trained and licensed researchers are allowed to use hoverbikes in order to get them up to the Sky Islands. Mom forbade me from ever getting a licence.”
“Because you’d use it to go get food in Goron City instead of doing your homework.” Marinette said dryly.
“They have the best curry!” Adrien complained, slouching in his chair. “The chefs can’t make it the same here!”
“I want a hoverbike!” Chat said, excitedly.
“You’ll either have to join the Zonai Research Team, or convince your Mom,” Marinette said, smiling. “And you really weren’t kidding about how identical you two are, Darling.”
“Well, he is my sickly twin brother,” Adrien hummed. “Or so we’re telling the world at large.”
“I’ve been hearing a different name,” Marinette hummed. “Ever since Lurelin, word that ‘the Prince’s Shadow’ has been travelling with him.”
“Honestly, I like that more than being the ‘sickly brother’ between us,” Chat chuckled. “Did you hear of my amazing exploits?”
“The Hateno Abduction was the biggest story of course, but there were some rumours from the Faron Region of an unknown blonde knight travelling with the Prince Consort, Princess, and Heir Apparent.” Marinette hummed thoughtfully. “A quiet, brooding type who spoke an unknown language, and whom the Princess adored dearly and the Prince Consort was training. They were saying that Mr.Link was training your appointed knight and the tour was a way to bond you two.”
“Oh yeah, I am definitely the dark, broody type.” Chat grinned, a closed fist under his chin, nodding as he accepted this new, cool persona.
“You were quiet and broody cause you couldn’t speak Hylian, you dork !” Adrien laughed. “ But , being my appointed knight…? It’s not a bad idea.”
“If that means I can be beside you, I’ll take it.” Chat hummed, arms crossing, looking at the screen and Marinette. There was a slight pang in his heart, seeing those pretty bluebell eyes of hers.
Not saying goodbye to Marinette…That was probably going to be one of his greatest regrets, making the choices he had.
“That’s one hell of a title, though,” Adrien hummed thoughtfully. “Does that bother you, being literally put into my shadow?”
“Not particularly,” Chat shrugged. “I think ‘The Prince’s Shadow’ sounds badass.”
“Wayham’s going to have a hell of a time trying to say both your titles when he sees you two,” Marinette chuckled. “Good evening, First of His Name, Heir Apparent, Prince of Greater Hyrule and Future King, Prince Adrien Von Hyrule and-” Marinette took a second to inhale deeply, exaggerating how much air she needed. “First of his Name, Second in Line, Prince of Greater Hyrule, The Princes’ Shadow and Appointed Royal Knight Chat Vi Hyrule!”
The brothers burst into laughter, grinning. “We already told him,” Chuckled Adrien. “Haven’t run into him again since, so no idea if he has the breath to complete the whole sentence. But, anyway, it’s getting late, My Love,” Adrien reminded her, standing at his desk. “You ought to get something to eat before you fly back to the Citadel.”
“I was thinking about just going with your Dad through the pass,” Marinette hummed, taking a second to stand, walking around to the edge of the sky island. “I’ve been so cooped up at the Citadel these past few months, it might be fun to have a little adventure of my own! And who better to travel with than Hyrule’s greatest hero?”
“Hard to argue that,” Chat heartily agreed. “Can’t wait to properly meet you, Marinette. Your parents’ miss you, too, by the way.”
“Oh! Right! They called last week, they wanted to send their thanks for that crescent bread recipe. Apparently they’re Hateno’s most booming product now, they’re making tons off them! They sent the perfected recipe, so a cousin of mine is making them at the Citadel too. They wanted to make sure you have some when you arrive.”
“Really?!” Gasped Chat, stars in his eyes. “Yes!! I can’t wait! Tell them thanks for me!!”
“Will do,” Marinette giggled, charmed by his child-like glee.
“Speaking of food, Adrien, I’m starving!”
“You’re sounding like Plagg,” Adrien chuckled at his brother. He faced the screen properly again. “I’ll see you soon, Darling. I have to go feed my brother before he bites off my hand. Safe travels.”
“Goodbye!” Marinette snickered, the screen going black, then fading into a mirror reflection.
“C’mon, dinner’s in the solarium again.” Adrien hummed, standing and wringing an arm around Chat’s shoulders. “We can take the slide!”
-
“Gah! I forgot to tell them about the Lynel!” Marinette fretted, trying to call her boyfriend back. But, unfortunately, it continued to ring without answer.
She would sigh, and jump from the Sky Island she was perched upon. She’d come back up to try again in the morning…Hopefully, though, the military operation would solve it if she couldn’t get the message through.
