History TearJerker / TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess

* The ending, when [[spoiler: the Mirror of Twilight begins to crack and Link and Zelda realize that they will never be able to see Midna again.]]
** [[http://www.mediafire.com/?2qmmkbmogxm That has to be the most depressing moment in the entire series, especially for Link]]. Is it any surprise that [[spoiler:fans really, really [[http://wantmidnaback.com/ want her back]]?]]

* When Midna [[spoiler: is mortally wounded and Link runs with her on his back in wolf form taking her to Zelda as a melancholy piano piece sweeps in.]]

*** And so, Nintendo decided that particular scene was gut-wrenching enough. No, wait, [[spoiler:Zelda performs a HeroicSacrifice to save Midna. And the worst part is? Midna is ''protesting,'' practically ''begging'' Zelda not to do it...''but she does anyway'', with a serene, encouraging look on her face the whole time. And then she's gone.]] [[ManlyTears Dammit...]]

** [[spoiler: "If you see him again, please pass on this message... Tell him he must not grieve his mother's passing. Tell him she wanted him to be brave and live on as the king of our people. And... Tell him his mother...loves him without end. Tell him... Please tell my son when he wakes...]] The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jXTWOM6i3c music]] that plays during the scene doesn't help.

* When you return to Ordon village after being turned into a wolf, all of the townspeople are beating themselves up over how the children are missing, and Link is viewed as a monster.
** This counts as definitely in-universe for Link. If you don't manage to avoid Rusl, imagine how Link feels when one of his closest friends slashes him with a sword? If only Link would later, once human again, [[WhatTheHellHero point out that his wolf-self never moved to attack Rusl anyway and for all Rusl knew, didn't mean any harm.]] Not to mention pretty much all the [human] [=NPCs=] in the game treat Wolf!Link like a [[WhatMeasureIsANonhuman monster that has no soul]] ''when he just looks like your average wolf.'' Even if it's supposedly in self-defense, normally the player doesn't ever move to even use an attack near any humans, yet they still treat him badly.
** Coro, the man in Faron woods who gives you the lantern, is one of the only humans who doesn't freak out when he sees Wolf Link. He actually calls him a good pup or something to that effect, it's cute.
** He even lampshades the reaction Wolf Link gets from other humans. The other prominent one who isn't frightened by Wolf Link is Agitha, but she's... a little [[CloudCuckoolander funny in the head.]]
** Go into the [=STAR=] tent. Maybe he really is scared and just trying to make up an excuse, but the emcee at least ''claims'' allergies.

* More of a tearjerker caused by nostalgia, but when you open the door to the entrance to the Temple of Time and get hit by that music... thank you, Nintendo, thank you.
* During the final battle [[spoiler: when Ganondorf's giant glowing head is forming.]] The music returns as the fragments of the Fused Shadow surround Midna. Link, knowing what she's about to do, reacts in shock and begins to run toward her, reaching out, only for her to transport him and Zelda away with a smile.

* Really small and easy to miss, but before completing the Forest Temple, [[ShmuckBait go check on Rusl back in Ordon.]] [[spoiler: He's severely injured from a monster attack and muttering deliriously about the children. The music playing (the same you hear when Prince Ralis is injured) really doesn't help.]]

** His entire attitude about the matter is heartbreaking: this is the Link that saved both Hyrule ''and'' Termina, who later grew up and had a family of his own, and after all of his accomplishments and sacrificesm, in the end he looks on himself as a failure because he wasn't able to do ''even more'' to help.

---> Midna: Link... you can... get there without me... right?

** This counts as definitely in-universe for Link. If you don't manage to avoid Rusl, imagine how Link feels when one of his closest friends slashes him with a sword? If only Link would later, once human again, [[WhatTheHellHero point out that his wolf-self never moved to attack Rusl anyway and for all Rusl knew, didn't mean any harm.]] Not to mention pretty much all the [human] NPC's in the game treat Wolf!Link like a [[WhatMeasureIsANonhuman monster that has no soul]] ''when he just looks like your average wolf.'' Even if it's supposedly in self-defense, normally the player doesn't ever move to even use an attack near any humans, yet they still treat him badly.

** And when you reach Zelda, does Midna ask Zelda to [[spoiler:help her? No. Despite being mortally wounded and close to death, the reason she wanted you to "hurry to Zelda" was so that she could ask Zelda to help ''Link'', who had had the wolf-curse reapplied on him through Zant's evil magic. She may as well be on her ''deathbed'', and Midna doesn't say a word about her own condition.]]

---> Midna: Link . . . you can . . . get there without me . . . right?

** this is STILL made worse when at the very end, Link leaves his life in Ordon (his friends, his job, and Ilia) behind to embark on what is likely a futile search for another way into the twilight realm.

*** She ''is'' on her deathbed. She's a creature of darkness who has just gotten a full blast from a ''spirit of light.'' She fully asks Link if he could manage without her.

* Hyrule Historia confirms that the Hero's Shade, a spirit which teaches Link many of his special techniques, is none other than [[PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo The Hero]] [[TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime of Time.]] He deeply regretted not being able to find a suitable pupil in life and has been chained to the earth all this time, waiting for someone to pass his skills onto.

** Hyrule Historia confirms that the Hero's Shade, a spirit which teaches Link many of his special techniques, is none other than [[PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo The Hero]] [[TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime of Time.]] He deeply regretted not being able to find a suitable pupil in life and has been chained to the earth all this time, waiting for someone to pass his skills onto.

** ''Twilight Princess'' cements [[spoiler: OOT Link]]'s downer ending: [[spoiler:It's heavily implied that the spirit that passes his techniques to Link is the Link from ''Ocarina of Time'', finding himself unable to move on with his life]]. Dammit, Nintendo, it's like you ''enjoy'' torturing him.
** [[spoiler: It's also been confirmed that the spirit is Link's father, or at least a closely-related ancestor (great-grandfather?), who regrets not being able to teach his son/descendant anything, so much that he won't pass on until he teaches someone all his hidden moves. At least he's able to move on after finally getting the chance to pass on his life lessons to his successor]].

** What's worse is right after the scene, Zelda and Link look around confused and then an explosion appears in front of them. Out of the dust appears [[spoiler:Ganon on horseback with Midna's helmet in his hand, strongly implying that [[SenselessSacrifice her actions were pointless.]]

** What's worse is right after the scene, Zelda and Link look around confused and then an explosion appears in front of them. Out of the dust appears Ganon on horseback with Midna's helmet in his hand, strongly implying that [[SenselessSacrifice her actions were pointless.]]

*** No love for the scene in the credits, where Prince Ralis is sitting at the edge of the river and the Queen is watching over him? And then Ralis stands up, and looks as if he swore he could've seen something. * sniff*

** [[spoiler: It's also heavily implied that the spirit is Link's father, or at least a closely-related ancestor (great-grandfather?), who regrets not being able to teach his son/descendant anything, so much that he won't pass on until he teaches someone all his hidden moves.]]
** [[spoiler: Well, if you have any residual tears, let them out now: it's been confirmed. At least he's able to move on after finally getting the chance to pass on his life lessons to his successor]].

* How about when you return to Ordon village after being turned into a wolf, all of the townspeople are beating themselves up over how the children are missing, and Link is viewed as a monster.
** This counts as definitely in-universe for Link. If you don't manage to avoid Rusl, imagine how Link feels when one of his closest friends slashes him with a sword? Makes me wish Link would later, once human again, [[WhatTheHellHero point out that his wolf-self never moved to attack Rusl anyway and for all Rusl knew, didn't mean any harm.]] Not to mention pretty much all the [human] NPC's in the game treat Wolf!Link like a [[WhatMeasureIsANonhuman monster that has no soul]] ''when he just looks like your average wolf.'' Even if it's supposedly in self-defense, normally the player doesn't ever move to even use an attack near any humans, yet they still treat him badly.

* Okay more of a tearjerker caused by nostalgia but admit it, you shed at least one tear when you opened the door to the entrance to the temple of time and got hit by that music. Thank you, Nintendo, Thank you.

*** Taking into consideration the amount of time that has passed since OOT (~100 years), the two may be one in the same.

* The look of absolute devastation on Yeto's face after the fifth boss in ''Twilight Princess'' (Blizzeta).

* It's a much smaller moment than most of the examples here, but the look of absolute devastation on Yeto's face after the fifth boss in ''Twilight Princess'' (Blizzeta) certainly tugged at this troper's heartstrings.

* If you decide to play the talk-to-all-the-cats game in the Hidden Village, the cucco says that they have short memory spans (or something like that) and if you leave the village before you've talked to all twenty, they'll ''forget you were ever there''. This is clearly just meant to be a more creative way of saying "the game resets if you leave the area", but the way the cucco talks about how lonely the kitties are, coupled with the fact that they probably won't even remember playing with you...this troper had to take a break from the game to cry her eyes out.
** This troper likes to think that the cats just really, really want to make sure everybody gets played with, and likes to remind herself that cats in RealLife have very good memories. I know applying real world facts to games doesn't always work, but dangit, it makes me feel better!
** I didn't think of it that way before. YouMonster.
* How about when you return to Ordon village after being turned into a wolf, all of the townspeople are beating themselves up over how the children are missing, and Link is viewed as a monster. I just wanted to shout: "It's me, people! I'm safe! I want to help!" so badly, I almost cried. AndIMustScream.
** This counts as definitely in-universe for Link. If you don't manage to avoid Rusl, imagine how Link feels when one of his closest friends slashes him with a sword? Makes me wish Link would later, once human again, [[WhatTheHellHero point out that his wolf-self never moved to attack Rusl anyway and for all Rusl knew, didn't mean any harm.]] Not to mention pretty much all the [human] NPC's in the game treat Wolf!Link like a [[WhatMeasureIsANonhuman monster that has no soul]] ''when he just looks like your average wolf.'' Even if it's supposedly in self-defence, normally the player doesn't ever move to even use an attack near any humans, yet they still treat him badly. Unless it's ''Midna'' they're freaking out about, but apart from her SlaserSmile, she looks fairly normal, and considering the guy in the forest who gives you your latern at the beginning as well as Agitha both never mention Midna if you speak to them as the wolf, I always thought she was InvisibleToNormals unless she doesn't want to be.

* Was this troper the only one who thought Twilight Princess had the saddest ending of any of the 3D Zelda games? Think about it for a moment - [[spoiler: Midna shatters the mirror to prevent her returning to the light world, robbing Link of his one true companion throughout the adventure. Although he had some help from others, none of them really understand the extent of Link's hardships and the battles he's fought. Sure, he still has Ilia, but in the final scenes of the credits, we see the goat herder go to Link's house to call on him for help. Then we see Ilia watching as Link, in full hero garb, rides off on Epona, out of Ordon and back into Hyrule, a not-so-subtle indication that Link has left behind his life and friends in Ordon to continue looking for Midna - much like [=OoT=]'s Link went searching for Navi. He'll never have any peace of mind again, even though he's defeated Ganondorf and saved the world. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero Nice job traumatizing Link, Midna.]]]]
** This troper finds that...ironic considering the game is VERY similar to [=OoT=] in a LOT of ways. She now [[FridgeHorror fears]] [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt for the]] [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask sequel.]]
* This troper seems to be alone here, but when Link walks into Telma's bar for the first time after dispelling the Twilight, and Ilia looks straight at him and doesn't recognize him at all--the look on his face was pretty heartbreaking to me.
** Don't worry, this troper was whimpering when that happened as well. "Did she not see him? No, she looked ''right at him''..."

* "Link I.... see you later" had me in tears

*** No, of course not. It's also a sign of good storytelling; [[spoiler: when Midna first visited Link in the dungeon, I hated her and found her almost as grating as Slippy Toad. The more the character developed and the more you learned about her, though, it just made it seem that much more like you never appreciated her until it was too late, which makes it all the worse.]]
**** It flat ''snuck up'' on me. [[spoiler:Midna was annoying at first, but I just got used to her as the plot went along, knowing she'd be there virtually the entire time. Then I was so wrapped up in the game that I didn't realize I actually liked her until that moment. It was a profound moment.]]
**** The worst part was his reaction to [[spoiler:Midna breaking the mirror]]. ''[[NotSoStoic Damn]]''.
** You can't forget the part when Midna [[spoiler: is mortally wounded and Link runs with her on his back in wolf form taking her to Zelda as a melancholy piano piece sweeps in.]]
*** And when you reach Zelda, does Midna ask Zelda to [[spoiler:help her? No. Despite being mortally wounded and close to death, the reason she wanted you to "hurry to Zelda" was so that she could ask Zelda to help ''Link'', who had had the wolf-curse reapplied on him through Zant's evil magic. She may as well be on her ''deathbed'', and Midna doesn't say a word about her own condition.]]
**** She ''is'' on her deathbed. She's a creature of darkness who has just gotten a full blast from a ''spirit of light.'' She fully asks Link if he could manage without her.

**** This troper was so struck by that segment in the game that she actually decided to name her then-three-week-old puppy "Midna". Said dog is now a year old and is every bit as intelligent and devious as you'd expect a Midna to be.

** Let's not forget Queen Rutela. The scene after she gives Link the Zora Armor was a tear jerker for this troper.
*** [[spoiler: "If you see him again, please pass on this message... Tell him he must not grieve his mother's passing. Tell him she wanted him to be brave and live on as the king of our people. And... Tell him his mother...loves him without end. Tell him... Please tell my son when he wakes...]] Sniff...sniff...
*** Of course, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jXTWOM6i3c the music]] played in that scene really helps stir the well if you get my meaning.
**** Thats the Serenade of Water from Oo T. Definitely {{Crowning Music of Awesome}}

* The ending of ''[[LegendOfZelda Twilight Princess]]'', when [[spoiler: the Mirror of Twilight begins to crack and Link and Zelda realize that they will never be able to see Midna again.]]

** This troper finds that...ironic considering the game is VERY similar to [=OoT=] in a LOT of ways. She now [[FridgeHorror fears]] [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt for the]] [[TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask sequel.]]

** [[spoiler: Well, if you have any residual tears, let them out now: it's been confirmed. At least he's able to move on after finally getting the chance to pass on his lessons to his successor]].

** Don't worry, this troper was wimpering when that happened as well. "Did she not see him? No, she looked ''right at him''..."
* Okay more of a tearjerker caused by nostalgia but admit it, you shed atleast one tear when you opened the door to the entrance to the temple of time and got hit by that music. Thank you, Nintendo, Thank you.
* During the final battle [[spoiler: when Ganondorf's giant glowing head is forming.]] The music returns as the fragments of the Fused Shadow surround Midna. Link, knowing what she's about to do, reacts in shock and begins to run toward her, reaching out, only for her to transport him and Zelda away with a smile.

* Okay more of a tearjerker caused by nostalgia but admit it, you shed atleast one tear when you opened the door to the entrance to the temple of time and got hit by that music. Thank you, Nintendo, Thank you.

**** This troper [[YourMilageMayVary doesn't particularly care for Midna,]] but that scene still almost made her cry. It wasn't Midna, it was Link. Just... when he realized she [[spoiler: broke the mirror]]... his ''face''... [[NotSoStoic it's just so...]]

** This counts as definitely in-universe for Link. If you don't manage to avoid Rusl, imagine how Link feels when one of his closest friends slashes him with a sword? Makes me wish Link would later, once human again, [[WhatTheHellHero point out that his wolf-self never moved to attack Rusl anyway and for all Rusl knew, didn't mean any harm.]] Not to mention pretty much all the [human] NPC's in the game treat Wolf!Link like a [[WhatMeasureIsANonhuman monster that has no soul]] ''when he just looks like your average wolf.'' Even if it's supposedly in self-defence, normally the player doesn't ever move to even use an attack near any humans, yet they still treat him badly. Unless it's ''Midna'' they're freaking out about, but, well, [[YourMileageMayVary she doesn't look THAT scary,]] and considering the guy in the forest who gives you your latern at the beginning as well as Agitha both never mention Midna if you speak to them as the wolf, I always thought she was InvisibleToNormals unless she doesn't want to be.