[Drabbles/short ficlets] Finished prompts
*This post is a work in progress and will therefore be updated periodically as more drabbles/ficlets are completed.
All of these prompts are from this post. Word count varies from 100 - 300 words; ratings from G - PG13.
‡ Newest additions (29 November 2009).
Part I: The Legend of Zelda series
Fierce/Link, Majora's Mask. Eternity. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"What's it like to live forever?" He isn't really sure where the thought comes from, really.
A ghostly hand pats his head. "It is long, and it is hard."
"Hard? Shouldn't it be fun?"
The god chuckles. "Is it not hard seeing the toll time takes on the world?"
"Yeah, it is kind of hard sometimes." The graveyard especially. No one ever fixed the wall, and the grasses are starting to grow wild among the stones now.
"I have seen that happen to everything."
Link doesn't know what to say. He just stares down at the ground.
"Such is the way of the world. Nothing is truly permanent. Even the mountains eventually fade away."
"But you're a god."
"Yes, I am."
He looks up at where he senses the presence, though he can't see anything. "Aren't gods permanent?"
"Even gods change, Link."
"I figured that," he says softly, one hand going to the mask at his belt. "But you're still Fierce."
"Are you still Link?"
"Well, yeah..."
"Yet you have said that you are not the Hero of Time."
He shuffles his feet. "No... no, I'm not. I'm different now."
"It is the same for me. I am not the same as I was when I was first put into that mask."
"But you're still eternal."
"There are some things that merely are eternal, Link. The sky and the land, for example. Both are always here, but their forms are always changing. The stars have changed since I last walked Termina, as has the land. They are eternal, yet they are not static."
Link thinks about that. "Then, um... one day the canyon will be gone?"
"Yes, and something new shall arise in its place."
"I wonder what it'll be."
The god laughs. "We shall see, Link. We shall see."
‡ Dark, Twilight Princess. Temple of Time [ requested by thepretend | posted 29 November 2009 ]
Time Door.
He tries not to think too much about that, because really, it can't be the Door of Time. The Temple of Time was off to one side of Castletown, not in a forest, so this can't be it.
Dark wants to believe that.
Through the Time Door, however... the similarities are striking. A large, open room lit with the light of a dozen massive tinted glass windows. It's not the same, not quite, but... It's close, so close. It feels right, that same timeless feel that always seemed so welcoming, so hidden, so safe.
Link and Midna go ahead, deeper into the Temple than he even knew the Temple went, but he stays near the pedestal meant to hold the Master Sword. He'll join them later.
For now, he wants to just sit and let himself remember what it was like back when the Temple of Time was intact like this, when it was still in use, before it had been forgotten. It wasn't the same as it used to be, but it was almost enough. For the moment, he could forget about Zant and the Twilight and just be the Hero's Shadow, just as he always was.
Shad/Ashei, Twilight Princess. Playing cards. [ requested by ladynorbert | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"You sure you've never played this before?"
Shad doesn't look up; he's nervous enough without seeing the look on Ashei's face. "Absolutely certain. I didn't even know such a game existed until earlier today."
"Hm." He hears cards moving and looks up -- right as Ashei looks up from her cards and fixes him with a piercing stare. "You seem awfully good at this for a rookie, yeah?"
"Well, it... it must be beginner's luck."
She doesn't believe him; he can tell by her face. "In that case... we'll just keep playing 'til it runs out."
He pales. "lf we must..."
Doomed Hero, anything. [ requested by thepretend | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"Sabori, am I really cursed?"
That makes the wise woman look up from her kettle. "Where did you hear that?"
He stares down at the rug, hiding behind his coppery hair. "Everyone says so."
She sighs. "Why does everyone say you're cursed?"
"Because I'm a boy. Boys are big trouble. That's why the Gerudo don't have them anymore."
"That's nonsense. We Gerudo are how we are, but it has nothing to do with boys being trouble. If you were such trouble, do you think I'd let you in here?"
"But..." He looks up, scowling. "Everyone says I'm trouble!"
Sabori stands up, gently brushing her long ponytail back behind her shoulders. "I say you are not. Therefore, that isn't everyone's opinion of you, Link. They're trying to mock you again, aren't they?"
He just nods.
"If you didn't let them bother you, they wouldn't tease you."
He glares at the wise woman from beneath his green headband. "That's easy for you to say!"
"We're a strong people, Link. You know that."
"I know... I'm not weak." He scowls.
She gives him the faintest smirk. "Then why are you listening to them? You are weak, Link, at least in this one way. I've said before how dangerous it is to leave your heart so open." She sighs. "I'm not saying you have to close your heart to the world, my child, but if you continue to listen to them, you will be cursed."
He looks away.
"You can either accept what they say, or you can prove them wrong, Link. I leave that up to you." Sabori returns to her kettle.
Behind her, the boy stands and leaves, the shifting of the twin scimitars at his hips and the soft flap of the tent's door the only sounds he makes.
Link/Dark, A Link to the Past. Rabbits. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"So what's this for?"
"What's so interesting about my pack, Dark?"
"Just wondering, really. Now, what's this little pearl thing do?"
"It lets me keep my form in the Dark World."
"Oh, so that's how you do it! Wait, you change?"
Link blows a noisy breath out. "Yes, I change."
"Into what?"
Link flinches and sighs. "A little rabbit, okay?"
"A rabbit?" Dark considers that for a lot longer than Link is really comfortable with, and then he smirks.
"Don't even --"
"Wonder if that means I'd turn into a rabbit, too..."
Link crosses his arms. "What were you before? I mean, I didn't always have the Moon Pearl; you would've been different then."
"Perhaps I was..." He knows that tone; that's the tone Dark uses when he's being vague.
"But you're not going to tell me."
Dark grins. "If you really want to know... How about we go find out?"
Link/Dark, Oracle of Ages. Time. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
The first time they use the Harp of Ages, Dark gets distant. He starts missing things in plain sight and trying to use equipment that they don't have. After a while, he seems to snap out of his trance -- until the next time they have to use a Time Portal. Then it repeats.
It doesn't take long for Link to get leery of the Harp. What is it doing to Dark?
"C'mon, Link, we need to get going!"
"Not until I figure out what's wrong..."
Dark scowls and walks over. "What's wrong with what?"
"With you and the Harp, that's what!"
Dark looks away. "This isn't my first time traveling through time, all right? It just... reminds me of things."
"But it scares me when you do that!" Link grabs Dark's shoulder with his free hand. "I'm afraid you'll get hurt..."
"I'll be all right. It's just a strong memory, that's all. Now let's go!"
"But --"
"I'll explain it better when all of this is done, I promise."
"I'm holding you to that."
Dark nods. "I know you will."
Link nods back and plays the Harp, but this time, he jumps through the portal holding Dark's hand.
"Remember me, Dark?"
Vaati/Shadow Link, Minish Cap/Future Hyrule. Beginnings. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
He drops easily to the floor, giggling. Where'd the other him go? Oh, whatever.
"So it seems the tales are true."
He turns and glares. Some idiot in purple, standing there like he owns the place. "Who're you?"
"I've got an offer to make you," the man says, laughing. "Help me cover this world in darkness, and I shall grant your greatest desire."
Really? He isn't even sure what his greatest desire is, but getting to put out all this light? That sounds like fun!
"All right, I'll help you."
The man grins. "I knew you would, my little shadow."
Part II: Other Series
Ichigo/Rukia, Bleach. Late. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"Right here, right now! I demand a rematch!"
"Kon, will you just shut up?"
"No! I will defeat you once and for all! Mark my words, Ichigo!"
"Are you two still at it?" Rukia snapped, glaring at boy and doll through the half-open closet door. "I thought there was more than enough excitement earlier for both of you."
"Look, it's not my fault! It's this idiot's!"
"What? You're the idiot!"
Rukia glared at them. "And I say you're both idiots. Go to sleep, already!" Then she slammed the door shut.
"Slavedriver," Ichigo muttered.
"You said it," Kon said, nodding.
‡ Cain/Abel, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Wine Glasses [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 29 November 2009 ]
"There's something to be said for a battle well won."
"Well won?" Abel chuckled. "I don't remember you doing much."
"I was doing my duty," Cain replied, reaching over and refilling Abel's wine glass. "We can't all have the glory."
Abel smirked at that. "Ah, I see. My mistake; I was certain it was less duty and more a broken lance."
Cain took a sip of his wine, giving Abel a meaningful look as he did. "I assure you, my friend, my lance is as capable as ever."
"I don't think we're both talking about the same lance."
"Either way, it's still perfectly capable."
Abel shook his head. "So you say."
"Is that a challenge?"
Abel held up his glass and watched the lamplight reflect off of the wine. "I suppose it is if you want one."
Cain didn't answer at first. He leisurely drained his glass and poured himself another, and then he walked over to lean against the wall next to Abel. "I think I'll take you up on that challenge."
"If you're not too tired from your well won victory, that is."
Cain laughed and clinked his glass against Abel's. "Aren't we supposed to enjoy ourselves tonight?"
Navarre/Ogma, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Trust. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
It's common knowledge that Navarre is always on guard. He watches everyone who gets close to him, being particularly wary of people who walk behind him. He never faces the wagon straight on when he's checking supplies. Watching, always watching.
But when night falls and he's out by his little fire on the edge of camp, Navarre drops his guard, even if only a bit. And when a certain set of heavy, strong footsteps approaches, he relaxes.
He knows it's the one person he doesn't need to watch. "Finally back, Ogma?"
Ogma laughs. "Miss me? Got you some beer."
"Thanks."
Sho/Makishima, Guyver: The Bio-boosted Armor. Potential. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
It doesn't seem fair, in a way, that he's always so far behind. It seems he's always the first to be attacked but the last to know anything. Even Tetsuro knows what's going on better than he does.
He is Guyver I, the first. Not the strongest or the best, merely the first unlucky bastard to trip the switch and activate an alien bioweapon.
In so many ways, Guyver III -- Agito Makishima -- is the one who should really be first. He's everything Sho isn't. Strong, smart, tough, fast... though sometimes Sho does have to wonder how much of that is Makishima himself and how much is Makishima spying on him as he fought.
At the same time, there's just something wrong about the way Makishima fights. Not his style or anything concrete, just the sense that there are no innocents to him. Sho isn't even sure how he got that impression. No, he kind of does. It really started when Makishima rescued him and Mizuki outside Takeshiro. Makishima just blew away an entire group of Zoanoids -- no, innocent civilians turned into Zoanoids -- seemingly without a thought.
Sho doesn't want to be like that, cold and uncaring. He's not fighting this battle for any grand reward. He just wants Tetsuro and Mizuki to be able to live in peace. And a small bit of vengeance for what those bastards did to his father, he supposes. He doesn't like thinking of himself as seeking revenge, but he is.
It's an odd thought. Yes, he wants to see Chronos pay. He wants the twisted satisfaction of an exploding building, only this time he wants it to be the end. An empty battlefield and a dead army.
He is the first, and if he has his way, the first will also be the last.
All of these prompts are from this post. Word count varies from 100 - 300 words; ratings from G - PG13.
‡ Newest additions (29 November 2009).
Part I: The Legend of Zelda series
Fierce/Link, Majora's Mask. Eternity. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"What's it like to live forever?" He isn't really sure where the thought comes from, really.
A ghostly hand pats his head. "It is long, and it is hard."
"Hard? Shouldn't it be fun?"
The god chuckles. "Is it not hard seeing the toll time takes on the world?"
"Yeah, it is kind of hard sometimes." The graveyard especially. No one ever fixed the wall, and the grasses are starting to grow wild among the stones now.
"I have seen that happen to everything."
Link doesn't know what to say. He just stares down at the ground.
"Such is the way of the world. Nothing is truly permanent. Even the mountains eventually fade away."
"But you're a god."
"Yes, I am."
He looks up at where he senses the presence, though he can't see anything. "Aren't gods permanent?"
"Even gods change, Link."
"I figured that," he says softly, one hand going to the mask at his belt. "But you're still Fierce."
"Are you still Link?"
"Well, yeah..."
"Yet you have said that you are not the Hero of Time."
He shuffles his feet. "No... no, I'm not. I'm different now."
"It is the same for me. I am not the same as I was when I was first put into that mask."
"But you're still eternal."
"There are some things that merely are eternal, Link. The sky and the land, for example. Both are always here, but their forms are always changing. The stars have changed since I last walked Termina, as has the land. They are eternal, yet they are not static."
Link thinks about that. "Then, um... one day the canyon will be gone?"
"Yes, and something new shall arise in its place."
"I wonder what it'll be."
The god laughs. "We shall see, Link. We shall see."
‡ Dark, Twilight Princess. Temple of Time [ requested by thepretend | posted 29 November 2009 ]
Time Door.
He tries not to think too much about that, because really, it can't be the Door of Time. The Temple of Time was off to one side of Castletown, not in a forest, so this can't be it.
Dark wants to believe that.
Through the Time Door, however... the similarities are striking. A large, open room lit with the light of a dozen massive tinted glass windows. It's not the same, not quite, but... It's close, so close. It feels right, that same timeless feel that always seemed so welcoming, so hidden, so safe.
Link and Midna go ahead, deeper into the Temple than he even knew the Temple went, but he stays near the pedestal meant to hold the Master Sword. He'll join them later.
For now, he wants to just sit and let himself remember what it was like back when the Temple of Time was intact like this, when it was still in use, before it had been forgotten. It wasn't the same as it used to be, but it was almost enough. For the moment, he could forget about Zant and the Twilight and just be the Hero's Shadow, just as he always was.
Shad/Ashei, Twilight Princess. Playing cards. [ requested by ladynorbert | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"You sure you've never played this before?"
Shad doesn't look up; he's nervous enough without seeing the look on Ashei's face. "Absolutely certain. I didn't even know such a game existed until earlier today."
"Hm." He hears cards moving and looks up -- right as Ashei looks up from her cards and fixes him with a piercing stare. "You seem awfully good at this for a rookie, yeah?"
"Well, it... it must be beginner's luck."
She doesn't believe him; he can tell by her face. "In that case... we'll just keep playing 'til it runs out."
He pales. "lf we must..."
Doomed Hero, anything. [ requested by thepretend | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"Sabori, am I really cursed?"
That makes the wise woman look up from her kettle. "Where did you hear that?"
He stares down at the rug, hiding behind his coppery hair. "Everyone says so."
She sighs. "Why does everyone say you're cursed?"
"Because I'm a boy. Boys are big trouble. That's why the Gerudo don't have them anymore."
"That's nonsense. We Gerudo are how we are, but it has nothing to do with boys being trouble. If you were such trouble, do you think I'd let you in here?"
"But..." He looks up, scowling. "Everyone says I'm trouble!"
Sabori stands up, gently brushing her long ponytail back behind her shoulders. "I say you are not. Therefore, that isn't everyone's opinion of you, Link. They're trying to mock you again, aren't they?"
He just nods.
"If you didn't let them bother you, they wouldn't tease you."
He glares at the wise woman from beneath his green headband. "That's easy for you to say!"
"We're a strong people, Link. You know that."
"I know... I'm not weak." He scowls.
She gives him the faintest smirk. "Then why are you listening to them? You are weak, Link, at least in this one way. I've said before how dangerous it is to leave your heart so open." She sighs. "I'm not saying you have to close your heart to the world, my child, but if you continue to listen to them, you will be cursed."
He looks away.
"You can either accept what they say, or you can prove them wrong, Link. I leave that up to you." Sabori returns to her kettle.
Behind her, the boy stands and leaves, the shifting of the twin scimitars at his hips and the soft flap of the tent's door the only sounds he makes.
Link/Dark, A Link to the Past. Rabbits. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"So what's this for?"
"What's so interesting about my pack, Dark?"
"Just wondering, really. Now, what's this little pearl thing do?"
"It lets me keep my form in the Dark World."
"Oh, so that's how you do it! Wait, you change?"
Link blows a noisy breath out. "Yes, I change."
"Into what?"
Link flinches and sighs. "A little rabbit, okay?"
"A rabbit?" Dark considers that for a lot longer than Link is really comfortable with, and then he smirks.
"Don't even --"
"Wonder if that means I'd turn into a rabbit, too..."
Link crosses his arms. "What were you before? I mean, I didn't always have the Moon Pearl; you would've been different then."
"Perhaps I was..." He knows that tone; that's the tone Dark uses when he's being vague.
"But you're not going to tell me."
Dark grins. "If you really want to know... How about we go find out?"
Link/Dark, Oracle of Ages. Time. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
The first time they use the Harp of Ages, Dark gets distant. He starts missing things in plain sight and trying to use equipment that they don't have. After a while, he seems to snap out of his trance -- until the next time they have to use a Time Portal. Then it repeats.
It doesn't take long for Link to get leery of the Harp. What is it doing to Dark?
"C'mon, Link, we need to get going!"
"Not until I figure out what's wrong..."
Dark scowls and walks over. "What's wrong with what?"
"With you and the Harp, that's what!"
Dark looks away. "This isn't my first time traveling through time, all right? It just... reminds me of things."
"But it scares me when you do that!" Link grabs Dark's shoulder with his free hand. "I'm afraid you'll get hurt..."
"I'll be all right. It's just a strong memory, that's all. Now let's go!"
"But --"
"I'll explain it better when all of this is done, I promise."
"I'm holding you to that."
Dark nods. "I know you will."
Link nods back and plays the Harp, but this time, he jumps through the portal holding Dark's hand.
"Remember me, Dark?"
Vaati/Shadow Link, Minish Cap/Future Hyrule. Beginnings. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
He drops easily to the floor, giggling. Where'd the other him go? Oh, whatever.
"So it seems the tales are true."
He turns and glares. Some idiot in purple, standing there like he owns the place. "Who're you?"
"I've got an offer to make you," the man says, laughing. "Help me cover this world in darkness, and I shall grant your greatest desire."
Really? He isn't even sure what his greatest desire is, but getting to put out all this light? That sounds like fun!
"All right, I'll help you."
The man grins. "I knew you would, my little shadow."
Part II: Other Series
Ichigo/Rukia, Bleach. Late. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
"Right here, right now! I demand a rematch!"
"Kon, will you just shut up?"
"No! I will defeat you once and for all! Mark my words, Ichigo!"
"Are you two still at it?" Rukia snapped, glaring at boy and doll through the half-open closet door. "I thought there was more than enough excitement earlier for both of you."
"Look, it's not my fault! It's this idiot's!"
"What? You're the idiot!"
Rukia glared at them. "And I say you're both idiots. Go to sleep, already!" Then she slammed the door shut.
"Slavedriver," Ichigo muttered.
"You said it," Kon said, nodding.
‡ Cain/Abel, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Wine Glasses [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 29 November 2009 ]
"There's something to be said for a battle well won."
"Well won?" Abel chuckled. "I don't remember you doing much."
"I was doing my duty," Cain replied, reaching over and refilling Abel's wine glass. "We can't all have the glory."
Abel smirked at that. "Ah, I see. My mistake; I was certain it was less duty and more a broken lance."
Cain took a sip of his wine, giving Abel a meaningful look as he did. "I assure you, my friend, my lance is as capable as ever."
"I don't think we're both talking about the same lance."
"Either way, it's still perfectly capable."
Abel shook his head. "So you say."
"Is that a challenge?"
Abel held up his glass and watched the lamplight reflect off of the wine. "I suppose it is if you want one."
Cain didn't answer at first. He leisurely drained his glass and poured himself another, and then he walked over to lean against the wall next to Abel. "I think I'll take you up on that challenge."
"If you're not too tired from your well won victory, that is."
Cain laughed and clinked his glass against Abel's. "Aren't we supposed to enjoy ourselves tonight?"
Navarre/Ogma, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. Trust. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
It's common knowledge that Navarre is always on guard. He watches everyone who gets close to him, being particularly wary of people who walk behind him. He never faces the wagon straight on when he's checking supplies. Watching, always watching.
But when night falls and he's out by his little fire on the edge of camp, Navarre drops his guard, even if only a bit. And when a certain set of heavy, strong footsteps approaches, he relaxes.
He knows it's the one person he doesn't need to watch. "Finally back, Ogma?"
Ogma laughs. "Miss me? Got you some beer."
"Thanks."
Sho/Makishima, Guyver: The Bio-boosted Armor. Potential. [ requested by sometimesamuse | posted 30 August 2009 ]
It doesn't seem fair, in a way, that he's always so far behind. It seems he's always the first to be attacked but the last to know anything. Even Tetsuro knows what's going on better than he does.
He is Guyver I, the first. Not the strongest or the best, merely the first unlucky bastard to trip the switch and activate an alien bioweapon.
In so many ways, Guyver III -- Agito Makishima -- is the one who should really be first. He's everything Sho isn't. Strong, smart, tough, fast... though sometimes Sho does have to wonder how much of that is Makishima himself and how much is Makishima spying on him as he fought.
At the same time, there's just something wrong about the way Makishima fights. Not his style or anything concrete, just the sense that there are no innocents to him. Sho isn't even sure how he got that impression. No, he kind of does. It really started when Makishima rescued him and Mizuki outside Takeshiro. Makishima just blew away an entire group of Zoanoids -- no, innocent civilians turned into Zoanoids -- seemingly without a thought.
Sho doesn't want to be like that, cold and uncaring. He's not fighting this battle for any grand reward. He just wants Tetsuro and Mizuki to be able to live in peace. And a small bit of vengeance for what those bastards did to his father, he supposes. He doesn't like thinking of himself as seeking revenge, but he is.
It's an odd thought. Yes, he wants to see Chronos pay. He wants the twisted satisfaction of an exploding building, only this time he wants it to be the end. An empty battlefield and a dead army.
He is the first, and if he has his way, the first will also be the last.