Legend's Heritage: Why Does He Hide It?

Legend's Heritage: Why does he hide it?

An LU Theory (plus some ramblings)

(Spoilers for A Link to the Past)

I promised I'd make a post about this in my last theory, so here it is!

Okay, before we dive into speculating, here's some LoZ context to aid in understanding. The Knights of Hyrule were a special clan of knights. They were not regular soldiers, but skilled bodyguards designated to the protection of the royal family. Breath of the Wild also holds evidence for there being two distinct and separate sets of protectors. However, story wise their biggest role is in A Link to the Past.

In the prologue to A Link to the Past we learn about the Imprisoning War; the battle against Ganon after the Hero of Times death. Most of the Knights died in the conflict while protecting the Sacred Realm and the Seven Sages. (I'd link to the Zelda Wiki article about it for more detail, but Tumblr is being dumb regarding adding links to posts now so... Sorry. I can't even tag this with 'long post' without it being suppressed now)

"As the sages sealed the way to the Dark World, the Knights of Hyrule defended them from the attacks of evil monsters. I heard that the Knights of Hyrule were nearly wiped out in that battle..." - Maiden (A Link to the Past)

For a time peace returned to the kingdom, but it seems that the Knights of Hyrule’s numbers never recovered. Early on we learn that Legend’s uncle appears to have been a Knight, and in his dying moments he teaches his nephew the Knights secret sword techniques.

"Unnh... That voice... Link? Is it you? I thought I told you to wait at home... I suppose there's no escaping destiny... Here, take this sword and shield from me. I shall teach you one of the secret sword techniques used by the Knights of Hyrule... Hold the B Button to focus power in your blade. Release it to unleash the power. Link...you must rescue Princess Zelda. Our people are fated to do so."

(No idea if Jojo wants to keep the Uncle dead like many fans headcanon because technically after defeating Ganon and wishing on the Triforce, Legend’s uncle is shown to be alive again in the credits but meh... I live for ✨ANGST✨)

In fact throughout the game, we learn that Legend is not only a descendant of the Knights of Hyrule, but he’s likely the last one.

"Among the descendants of the Knights Of Hyrule a hero must appear." - Sahasrahla (A Link to the Past)

"Only a person of the Knights Of Hyrule, who protected the royalty of Hylia, can become the Hero... You are of their blood-line, aren't you? Then you must rescue Zelda without fail." - Maiden (A Link to the Past)

"You are perhaps the last one to carry on the blood-line of the Knights... It is ironic that the last one in the line has the potential to become the Hero of legend." - Maiden (A Link to the Past)

Now Legend not only holds the blood of the Knights, but he was also knighted in the Oracle games (probably reluctantly, LOL). One would think it would be quite the honor to hold such an important role as the last true Knight of Hyrule, and yet Legend has rejected everything he is. He claims to be nothing more then “an average nobody”, which we know to be a lie.

I tell you, this kid keeps his secrets buried deep and he hasn’t given me a whole lot of hints to work with. But I can’t help but still try to speculate WHY?! Why keep such a lineage a secret? Here are a few possibilities...

1. Maybe in a way he feels that the the Knights have taken away any choice he had of leading a normal life. His Uncle’s dying words were “I suppose there’s no escaping destiny,” but if anyone is stubborn enough to try, it’s Legend.

2. The brainwashed castle guards killed his uncle and attacked him, and although those soldiers weren't technically Knights of Hyrule, it’s understandable why Legend is so critical of them and wouldn’t want to be associated with them in any way. His comments regarding them show that he doesn't really differentiate between the two.

3. We also don’t know the exact fate of his parents but if we assume that they were Knights like his uncle, then they probably didn’t meet a happy end either. You could also argue being destined from birth to serve the Royal family is where all his troubles started...

4. Perhaps his motives are not rooted in bitterness at all, but selflessness. Behind all that snark is someone who just has no desire for titles or recognition. We know that he purposely chooses not to be a leader even though he’s the most experienced of the group.

Despite all his quips he has a good heart; after all, one would need a balanced heart to wish upon the Triforce (twice!) without it separating. The only other characters we’ve known to harness the full power of the Triforce like that are Sky, King Daphnes from the Wind Waker, and the King from the prologue of Zelda II: The adventure of Link— That's a pretty impressive lineup of noble people to be lumped together with!

5. However, I like to think it's a combination of his past hardships and selfless heart.

He'll continue on his travels, helping other's simply because it's the right thing to do. He's never quested for recognition and never will, but in a way he's also running from his past.

I think his adventures have affected him (you’re not fooling anyone Legend!)

But eventually he’s going to have to truly face himself; what he’s lost and who he is.

How Mickey’s Poor Memory Ties Into KH3: Kingdom Hearts Meta

Right, so I just finished watching the ReCoded HD Cutscene movie and there’s something that stuck out to me.

So we all know that Mickey knew Terra, Aqua, and Ventus over ten years ago according to the KH lore. Yet he never brought them up. This is highlighted in the KH 2.8 Remix trailer when Mickey not so subtly drops that not only did he know them, but he met Aqua once in the Realm of Darkness.

This naturally got a lot of people in the fandom really mad. After the sad events that transpired in Birth By Sleep, the only survivor of the ordeal finds out information but doesn’t say anything for ten years? Yeah, that would be suspicious… but is it possible his actions can be explained?

Let’s step back from that for a minute and go towards KH2. Mickey met Xemnas. The leader of Organization 13. The guy who was purposefully destroying countless worlds so he could create Kingdom Hearts. Yet, even though Mickey clearly met him and understands the danger the worlds are in, he completely forgets ever seeing Xemnas until he sees him again at Hallow Bastion.

Which makes things worse considering Xemnas was the spitting image of Terra. And even though Mickey never met Terra personally, he does know Xemnas’ true identity because of his reaction to it in Dream Drop Distance.

So why would Mickey just casually forget the pain and suffering of his friends? Or forget who Xemnas is?

It’s a mystery unless you analyze the psychology of ReCoded.

Near the end of the game, Data Sora is taken to Castle Oblivion where he begins to walk through the castle and starts forgetting all of his friends. Data Roxas tells him that it’s better to just forget and not connect with people in the first place, because that hurt will destroy him.

Essentially, if Data Sora dwells on the pain, then the darkness will overtake him. Instead of Mickey easily giving sage advice… he instead says something interesting.

The reason why this is interesting is because MICKEY HAS BEEN THERE!

Mickey was the sole survivor of the onslaught that transpired between Aqua, Ventus, and Terra against Master Xehanort. A fight he wasn’t even supposed to be a part of. Yet because of his friendship with those three, he wanted to join in to help in any way he could…

And he couldn’t save them.

Mickey didn’t just forget about Terra, Aqua, and Ven as the years went by… he repressed those memories on purpose because it hurt too much to think about. That guilt built up but he couldn’t face his past because that pain was too much for him. And according to Data Roxas, if you dwell on the pain you fall into darkness. We may not see Mickey get close to darkness per-say, but we do see the effects their losses in his actions.

Why he travels alone during KH1 and 2? Why he has such a strong reaction to Goofy’s “death”? Why he’s so desperate to not let Riku fall into darkness? Why he “forgot” Xemnas?

It’s because he has been hurt by loss in the past and instead of facing that pain head on and accepting it, he ran away and attempted to prevent that pain from happening again by simultaneously trying to repress the memories and trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

That’s why he’s forgotten, but won’t let go. He doesn’t want his friends to go down the same path, but he doesn’t want to go through that pain again.

The King is at a crossroads throughout most of the games because of these conflicting emotions! Also, Mickey has taught himself that all darkness is inherently evil and that no form of darkness should ever exist. Which also includes feelings such as sadness, anger, loss, or regret…

So he can really relate to Data Sora here.

If Mickey let his pain in, would it pull him to the darkness? Would it overtake him?

But the difference between Data Sora and Mickey is that Data Sora is willing to accept that pain is essential to who you are and you must carry it. Data Sora can accept it while Mickey, although he accepts darkness can be used for good, still struggles with accepting his own darkness.

And who conveniently meets up with Data Sora after he learns to accept the fact that you gotta carry your pain with you?

That’s right. Mickey. Yes, he didn’t have the energy to talk to Data Sora during Data Sora’s battle with Roxas, but Mickey had to at least keep track of Data Sora somehow. Otherwise he wouldn’t know where Data Sora would be in the Datescape. It’s possible Mickey could have kept a connection open enough so that he could hear Data Sora. Mickey had to since just after he says he’s glad to catch up with Data Sora, he says:

So Mickey knew what Data Sora was going through. Could it be possible that Mickey took his time because he was realizing that Sora was doing something he couldn’t? That Data Sora could accept pain as natural and carry the weight without it letting the pain overtake him?

If Mickey heard the whole exchange between Data Sora and Data Roxas, Mickey would have been faced with a decision. A decision that he’s been running away from for over ten years.

If Mickey were to help Data Sora find the hidden pieces of the journal, he must learn to accept his own pain too. And even though we do not see how Mickey gets affected on a surface level, we do see how the experience changed him immediately after Mickey returns to the real world.

After the events of this game, Mickey seems more aware of his missing friends. In the secret ending of the game, Mickey immediately starts talking to YenSid about finding Ven’s heart and saving Terra, Ven, and Aqua.

It could be possible that he has been investigating their losses in the past, but it was only after he accepted that he wasn’t good enough to save them that he was able to get emotionally strong enough to face his mistakes and take his pain head on.

Data Sora showed him the way. After being with Data Sora and facing the memories that were too painful to bear according to Naminé, Mickey had to face the loss he ran away from for over ten years.

Sora’s not the only one who needed a hand to hold during this painful re-experience.

Naminé then says this to Mickey specifically:

Because, she’s right. Mickey does know how much they’re hurting. And how long he has been running away from that pain.

But now he needs to face it, accept it, and carry the burden to make it right.

Some say that ReCoded was pointless.

I say it added a lot of depth to Mickey and answered a lot of questions related to his character.

Now Mickey isn’t afraid of his own pain, guilt, and loss anymore. Now he can accept that darkness as a part of himself.

It may be a long time coming, but because of his adventures with Data Sora, Mickey is finally ready to acknowledge his memories, forgive himself, move forward, and finally take the steps to save his friends in Kingdom Hearts 3.

1K notes View Post

sakurarozen

5 years ago

Farmers Pick Marigolds In Minzu Village, Weining County In Guizhou, China On August 2, 2015. (Yang Wenbin/Xinhua)

Farmers pick marigolds in Minzu village, Weining County in Guizhou, China on August 2, 2015. (Yang Wenbin/Xinhua)

149K notes View Post

sakurarozen

6 years ago

Hey Nomura I fixed it for you you’re welcome

I just wanted Aqua to lean a bit closer with her head but the guys at the Terraqua Discord server had some better ideas, like not abandoning Naminé xD

316 notes View Post

sakurarozen

2 years ago