History TearJerker / TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker

** While at first glance Maggie and her father are wealthier than ever, [[RagstoRiches having gotten out of poverty due to Maggie collecting Skull Necklaces]], what has happened to Maggie's Dad has troubling implications. Her father has become a [[TookALevelInJerkass greedy self-absorbed jerk]], flaunting his wealth in a gaudy fashion, treating you as merely a peasant, and being utterly rude and horrid to public servants like the Rito postal workers. But what's horrible is a few of his lines show that he has become [[HelicopterParents cripplingly overprotective of Maggie]], to the point of refusing her to read any letters or to take any outside contact. It's implied from this that his flamboyant greed is a coping mechanism for the trauma of losing his daughter in the first place, and he's now expressing it in the worst way possible. To make things worse, it's clear that his daughter is ''not'' coping well at all, [[StockholmSyndrome having sunken into delusions of being in love with one of her captors, a Moblin named Moe.]] It's pretty evident that the experience has utterly damaged both of them, and for all that Maggie has finally gotten out of the Forsaken Fortress, [[GildedCage she has only traded one prison for another.]]

* Also when Prince Komali arrives to find Medli has left (to become a sage, although he doesn't know that)]]. What makes it worse is when you come back, he's still waiting for her to return, to give her a flower. Come back even later, and the flower's wilted... but he's still waiting. Fortunately, Komali and Medli were seen among the search and rescue party for Link and Tetra at the game's end, subtly implying that they have finally reunited at last.

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[[caption-width-right:350:Grandma, I'm back! How are yo-...o-oh...]]

%% All Moments pages are SPOILERS OFF. PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY TEXT IN SPOILER BRACKETS.

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* The point where [[spoiler:Tetra is revealed to have really been Princess Zelda all along]]. Just... that ''music'' and [[spoiler:her parting words]].
* Everything [[spoiler:the King]] says just before and after the final battle. Making the player [[spoiler:''not'' want to save Hyrule]] is quite something, especially when you think it was a potential final game in the series.
--> "I have scattered the seeds of the future."
** [[spoiler:Ganondorf's]] speech just before said final battle. While he was [[WellIntentionedExtremist doing it all wrong]], all he really wanted was for his people to stop dying....at least, prior to getting a taste for [[AGodAmI godhood.]] In that respect, he's probably feeling some measure of regret: he started out motivated to help his people, [[TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget then became so selfish and power-mad that he ultimately destroyed said people and the land he'd sought to conquer.]]
*** An alternate interpretation of his death quote can make him feel kind of sympathetic in light of his goals; almost as though, in his dying moments, much like [[spoiler:the King]], he's realized Link as a hero of a magnitude similar to the Hero of Time. From there, he realizes that in some way, shape, or form, he will bring Hyrule back to life -- and [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks ultimately, he did.]]
----> "The wind... it is... blowing."
*** The above quote can be viewed as a tear-jerker or FridgeHorror, depending on which "wind" you think he's referring to. The tear jerker option is the wind that blew through Hyrule -- the one he was referring to in saying "I coveted that wind, I suppose" -- and it's kind of nice to think that, regardless of what he did, [[spoiler:he got to experience it one last time before his death.]] On the ''other'' hand, he could be referring to the wind that blew through the Gerudo Valley -- the destructive wind. Either is an entirely feasible option since [[spoiler:Hyrule has been restored for some small amount of time while Link's been fighting through the castle... but it's also true that Hyrule is pretty much screwed at this point.]] [[TakeAThirdOption Or for an even more profound option,]] one can consider Ganondorf's acknowledgment of the wind as him accepting his death, again tying into the destructive winds of Gerudo Valley.
*** There's also the fact that if you've played ''Skyward Sword'', you'll realize that [[spoiler: Ganondorf is the incarnation of the demon king Demise's hatred]]. [[FridgeHorror Think about it;]] chances are, Ganondorf most likely would have just been a Gerudo desperate enough for his people to survive the harsh desert winds to try and make a complaint to the King of Hyrule at the time, probably come to an agreement, and that would have been the end of it. But BecauseDestinySaysSo, [[spoiler: Demise's hatred for the goddess and her hero]] caused him to seek out the Triforce for these ideals, twisting his noble desire into a thirst for power. His willingness to hold back during his battles with Link and Tetra [[spoiler:(Zelda)]] was probably a sign of him getting fed up with his destiny. He's lived a long time at this point, long enough to see the end of Hyrule, and just wants this accursed conflict to be over with; he's ''tired'' of this ceaseless struggle. Him happily walking towards the completed Triforce is him finally seeing the goal he'd been searching for all these years, and [[YankTheDogsChain then it's cruelly taken away from him]]. In his LaughingMad berserker state, it ''is'' implied that he's perfectly willing to kill the two heroes at this point; but it could also be seen as him wanting at least one good thing from this. Namely, one final fight with the heroes -- in this case, the Link and Zelda of the current era -- before [[spoiler: his final death in this timeline]].
** Making things worse: the look on Link's face [[spoiler:after he drives the sword into Ganondorf's head. [[BloodlessCarnage Logically]], a death wound like that would get blood ''everywhere'', including all over Link.]]
* Also when Prince Komali arrives to find [[spoiler:Medli has left (to become a sage, although he doesn't know that)]]. What makes it worse is when you come back, he's still waiting for her to return, to give her a flower. Come back even later, and the flower's wilted… but he's still waiting. [[spoiler:Fortunately, Komali and Medli were seen among the search and rescue party for Link and Tetra at the game's end, subtly implying that they have finally reunited at last.]]

-->'''Sue-Belle''': ''"Your grandmother has been having a terrible time of it ever since you left. She rarely leaves the house, and as far as I can tell, she just spends her days sleeping. She hardly eats..."''

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7CpWP-h09k Departure]], which only plays two times over the course of the game -- both equally heart-wrenching. The first is when Link sets out with the pirates, toward the Forsaken Fortress, waving to his Grandma, and the second… [[spoiler:is when Link sets out with the pirates at the end of the game, beginning the search for New Hyrule.]] The positions are roughly reversed, with [[spoiler:Aryll]] running the length of the dock to wave to him, as they set off.

* Related to [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'s ending, [[spoiler:even though by now she may be nothing but residual energy in the Master Sword, this is the last time Fi will ever meet Link "in another life" (in this timeline, anyway) and is now entombed at the bottom of the sea forever.]]
** Also, when you first find the Master Sword, it's drained of power. [[spoiler:Fi is ''dying''.]]
*** [[spoiler:You leave her inside Ganondorf's head at the bottom of the ocean possibly never to be retrieved and used ever again.]]
* And finally, when the king refuses to take Link's hand, instead choosing to ''drown'' with his kingdom in the belief that, [[IChooseToStay as part of the past, he too should be left behind.]] He even [[FutileHandReach reaches up for a moment to do it, but then slowly takes his hand back]], and the last you see of him is him bowing his head, obviously [[ICantLookGesture trying not to look at Link as he fades away]]/

** This entire scene is amplified by the existence of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmqf1Fztvr8 this track]], appropriately titled [[spoiler: Farewell Hyrule King]]. It's a somber piano version of [[spoiler: [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast the castle theme from "A Link to the Past"]]]].
** [[spoiler:"This is the only world that your ancestors were able to leave you. Please... forgive us."]]
* That look of stunned helplessness right after [[spoiler:Link runs off a cliff trying in a blinded effort to save his sister]]. His mind was completely blank except for having to watch his only sister vanish over the horizon and being unable to do something about it.

* The scene where Medli [[spoiler: discovers she's the Earth sage]]. It isn't ''sad'' in the obvious sense, but it's a very somber moment. Complete with a SingleTear.
** Speaking of which, many players didn't see [[spoiler:her and Makar safely on the pirate ship at the end]] due to how brief the shot was. They were left wondering [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse what happened to them]], and whether they were even alive due to [[spoiler:their temples having just been flooded]].

* And finally, when the king refuses to take Link's hand, instead choosing to ''drown'' with his kingdom in the belief that, [[IChooseToStay as part of the past, he too should be left behind.]] He even [[FutileHandReach reaches up for a moment to do it, but then slowly takes his hand back]], and the last you see of him is him bowing his head with [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone a look of deep regret on his face]] as Link floats back to the surface.

** And to top it all off, the [[ThousandYardStare look on Link's face]] as the king lowers his hand. [[ForcedToWatch Link can only watch as this person he's come to see as his mentor, friend and possibly even his father figure, choose to die with Hyrule over returning to the surface.]] And the most heartwrenching part is when you remember that this Link is just a ''child'', helpless to save his closest friend.
* The king saying that he and Ganondorf were one and the same in that they were both bound to the memory of Hyrule. It's a little jarring to think that the companion who has watched over you and helped you during your whole quest could ever be similar to Ganondorf, but he has a point.
** This entire scene is amplified by the existence of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmqf1Fztvr8 this track]], appropriately titled [[spoiler: Farewell Hyrule King]]. It's a somber remix of [[spoiler: [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast the castle theme from "A Link to the Past"]]]].

** Making things worse: the look on Link's face [[spoiler:after he drives the sword into Ganondorf's head. [[FridgeHorror Logically]], a death wound like that would get blood ''everywhere'', including all over Link.]]

** [[spoiler:Ganondorf's]] speech just before said final battle. While he was [[WellIntentionedExtremist doing it all wrong]], all he really wanted was for his people to stop dying…
*** At least, prior to getting a taste for [[AGodAmI godhood.]]

** While at first glance Maggie and her father are wealthier than ever, [[RagstoRiches having gotten out of poverty due to Maggie collecting Skull Necklaces]], what has happened to Maggie's Dad has troubling implications. Her father has become a [[TookALevelInJerkass greedy self-absorbed jerk]], flaunting his wealth in a gaudy fashion, treating you as merely a peasant, and being utterly rude and horrid to public servants like the Rito postal workers. But what's horrible is a few of his lines show that he has become [[OverprotectiveDad cripplingly overprotective of Maggie]], to the point of refusing her to read any letters or to take any outside contact. It's implied from this that his flamboyant greed is a coping mechanism for the trauma of losing his daughter in the first place, and he's now expressing it in the worst way possible. To make things worse, it's clear that his daughter is ''not'' coping well at all, [[StockholmSyndrome having sunken into delusions of being in love with one of her captors, a Moblin named Moe.]] It's pretty evident that the experience has utterly damaged both of them, and for all that Maggie has finally gotten out of the Forsaken Fortress, [[GildedCage she has only traded one prison for another.]]

*** There's also the fact that if you've played Skyward Sword, you'll realize that [[spoiler: Ganondorf is the incarnation of the demon king Demise's hatred]]. [[FridgeHorror Think about it;]] chances are, Ganondorf most likely would have just been a Gerudo desperate enough for his people to survive the harsh desert winds to try and make a complaint to the King of Hyrule at the time, probably come to an agreement, and that would have been the end of it. But BecauseDestinySaysSo, [[spoiler: Demise's hatred for the goddess and her hero]] caused him to seek out the Triforce for these ideals, twisting his noble desire into a thirst for power. His willingness to hold back during his battles with Link and Tetra [[spoiler:(Zelda)]] was probably a sign of him getting fed up with his destiny. He's lived a long time at this point, long enough to see the end of Hyrule, and just wants this accursed conflict to be over with; he's ''tired'' of this ceaseless struggle. Him happily walking towards the completed Triforce is him finally seeing the goal he'd been searching for all these years, and [[YankTheDogsChain then it's cruelly taken away from him]]. In his LaughingMad berserker state, it ''is'' implied that he's perfectly willing to kill the two heroes at this point; but it could also be seen as him wanting at least one good thing from this. Namely, one final fight with the heroes -- in this case, the Link and Zelda of the current era -- before [[spoiler: his final death in this timeline]].

* The first time you enter the sunken Hyrule Castle, but before claiming the Master Sword. Everything is frozen and grey. The castle is in ruins, overrun by monsters. And that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg3kZaEnvBw creepy, sorrowful reed music]] faintly echoing as if from nowhere really gives off a sheer sense of desolation and hopelessness.

** While at first glance Maggie and her father are wealthier than ever, [[RagstoRiches having gotten out of poverty due to Maggie collecting Skull Necklaces]], what has happened to Maggie's Dad has troubling implications. Her father has become a [[TookALevelInJerkass greedy self-absorbed jerk]], flaunting his wealth in a gaudy fashion, treating you as merely a peasant, and being utterly rude and horrid to public servants like the Rito postal workers. But what's horrible is a few of his lines show that he has become [[OverprotectiveDad cripplingly overprotective of Maggie]], to the point of refusing her to read any letters or to take any outside contact. It's implied from this that his flamboyant greed is a coping mechanism for the trauma of losing his daughter in the first place, and he's now expressing it in the worst way possible. To make things worse, it's clear that his daughter is ''not'' coping well at all, having sunken into delusions of being in love with one of her captors, a Moblin named Moe. It's pretty evident that the experience has utterly damaged both of them, and for all that Maggie has finally gotten out of the Forsaken Fortress, [[GildedCage she has only traded one prison for another.]]

* For the HD version, the disappearance of Tingle bottles after Miiverse's 2017 shutdown. In fairness, it's now the same as when you played it on the Gamecube, but for players who enjoyed the function, starting up the game and finding a sea empty of bottles from other players was quite a lonely moment.

[[caption-width-right:350:Grandma, I'm back! How are you...o-oh...]]

* The first time you enter the sunken Hyrule Castle, but before claiming the Master Sword. Everything is frozen and grey. The castle is in ruins, overrun by monsters. And that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg3kZaEnvBw creepy, sorrowful reed music]] that plays in the background.

*** That statue is later ''broken'' upon returning. The icon of a beloved hero being defiled like that… It's inexcusable, and tragic, how something so significant of hope can be destroyed so shamelessly.
** There's also the significance of this due to ''Ocarina of Time's'' story. The people were waiting for the Hero of Time to return, but since Zelda had sent Link back to relive his past, this timeline no longer had an incarnation of the Hero of Time. So one point is that even with good intentions, Zelda effectively doomed this timeline's Hyrule to destruction, but also consider how the people must have felt when they realized that the Hero they looked up to and believed in never showed up to save them again...and the only answer was for the gods to essentially drown Hyrule while they fled to the tallest mountains to save themselves...