Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Deku Tree

This was a songfic created by TheIkranRider, and this took place after all the events of the Pokémon/Zelda crossovers, including the Imprisonment War and Link's self-rehabilitation at Koholint.
Link has awakened from his short slumber, though it felt like months since he was nearly killed by that fatal storm at sea and awakened the Wind Fish after he defeated his own merged Nightmare. Zelda II and her Water-types were ecstatic to see him alive and well; however, he was far from whole. As soon as his feet touched the beach of Zora's Domain, he recalled his deep scars and sorrow, as well as a longing end for his mounting misery. He left Hyrule during his self-exile as he bared the emptiness inside him, so much so that he almost hanged himself in the Sacred Forest Meadow Grotto, though there was always someone to interfere with the end of his turmoil.
Before he went away, he wrote to Princess Zelda of his last request, if he should ever return...
I'm coming home, I've done my time
Now I must know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter, there's one thing to set me free
Now you know what you must do, if you still want me.
If you still want me...
Just tie a yellow ribbon round the Deku Tree.
It's been several months, does Hyrule need me?
If I don't see a yellow ribbon around the Deku Tree
I'll leave this land, be part of the damned, put the blame on me...
Just tie a yellow ribbon round the Deku...Tree.
Like all wise monarchs, she knew that a yellow ribbon doesn't just represent someone coming back from a war abroad, but also as a sign of suicide awareness. She can recall Link's emotional numbness despite Hyrule, and the Sacred Realm being restored. She had experienced death recently, as did Link, once Ganondorf was finally slewed at the Pyramid of Power in the corrupt Evil Realm; the pieces of the Triforce were reunited as they left their bearers, and with Zelda II's pure, balanced heart, she made a wish to restore the land it once was. Reversing all the death and destruction Ganondorf made when he disguised himself as Agahnim, the brainwashing of the Hyrulean Knights loyal to the doomed Royal Family, imprisonment of all the Sages, as well as Rauru, the advanced Sage of Light, who passed away and had Mewtwo as his replacement.
Without the Triforce of Courage, the portion of Farore's essence, Link endured all the trauma and tragedies, and put all the blame on himself. As a result, he wanted to end his life and his destiny as the legendary Hero of Time, no longer feeling like the hero he once was his bravery was stripped away along with the Courage piece, and he desperately wrote this letter to her which was delivered immediately by Taillow.
Meanwhile, Link was heading to Kokiri Forest on Latios' back, as he couldn't bring himself there from all those heavy burdens.
Great Deku Sprout, wait for me.
Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison and Zelda, she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
And I wrote and told her, please
Just tie a yellow ribbon round the Deku Tree.
It's been several months, does Hyrule need me?
If I don't see a yellow ribbon around the Deku Tree
I'll leave this land, be part of the damned, put the blame on me...
Just tie a yellow ribbon round the Deku...Tree.
Latios took Link to the forest, at the Great Deku Tree Meadow's pathway, leading to the same location where his mom spilt her blood as the late Tree took him in; outsiders were forbidden to enter the forest, but the infant Link was an exception since he was blessed by the Goddesses as the "child of destiny." He'd later grown as the Hero of Time and possessed great fortitude, but that all changed once he slowly set foot towards the Tree's resting place.
The sapling was glad to see him, though the Hylian disregarded the welcome as he walked past with a heart and head as heavy as the Iron Boots he once wore; he felt as if the former was about to shatter into infinitesimal pieces. Filled with remorse and regret, he dragged his feet toward it, fearing for his loss of his sanity and his life. He was completely unaware that there some small pitter pats behind him, following him. Then, he heard some shrill voices and rose his head.
Now all the kids are cheerin'
And I can't believe I see...
He shook his head to get rid of the daze, or rather the glare from the sun's rays shining on his late father figure, and his eyes beheld an astonishing sight. He smiled widely as his indigo eyes sparkled like Lake Hylia.
One hundred yellow ribbons round the Deku Tree!
Thinking all the children had died, as well as the sagacious Sprout, and thinking that no one appreciated him as the savior of the land, it was like a ton of Nightmares lifted off his shoulders. He was more than welcome returning to Hyrule! The Kokiri, who looked up to him as the valiant hero, including the headstrong Mido cried for him and his brighter fate. They crowded around him, much to his amazement!
He now knew in his heart that he's still the valiant Hylian warrior everyone knew and still loved, even Princess Zelda herself! He realized it was her to change his fate and convince everyone who he truly is! From then on in, it has been decided.
I'm coming home!
== Trivia ==
* This was something TheIkranRider came up with since her late teenage years, ever since she remembered the parody during a square dance in a middle school remedial gym class, and when she grew up with oldies, particularly Tony Orlando and Dawn titled Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree.
* Yellow ribbons are either significant for a soldier returning from duty, or in this case, suicide.
* The station she used to listen to was Oldies 100, aka 100.1, before it transformed into a temporary country song, then into Jersey's Greatest Hits.
* Back then, she used to have a walkthrough guide featuring the OG Zelda, Zelda II, and A Link to the Past. While she was still into Ocarina of Time, she wanted the Imprisonment War to take place for the Hero of Time than Hero of Legend. Still, he suffered from depression and PTSD, hence nearly committing suicide, being stranded in Koholint, and returning to Hyrule with emptiness. He realized he's still loved as 100 yellow ribbons were tied!
* There were a couple of Gen 3 Pokémon, as it implied Zelda II came to Hoenn before the Imprisonment War.
* Also, as a side note, since it's about suicide awareness, if any of you feel suicidal, she found this number: 1-800-273-TALK. She's no consultant, but since she suffers from depression sometimes, she just wants to let you all know that you're never alone.
Category:TheIkranRider
Category:One Shots
Category:Stories
Category:Stories that are rated PG
Category:Tragic Story
Category:Song Fic
Category:Short Stories
Category:Pokemon stories
Category:Crossovers
Category:Death stories
Category:Inspired