History Fanfic / TheEquestrianWindMage

* CounterpartComparison: Sombra is repeatedly referred to as a pony version of Ganondorf.[[invoked]]

-->'''Vaati''': What's the matter, 'Great and Powerful Trixie'?! [[Film/StreetFighter You expected a man, but instead found a god]]?!

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler: Not only Dethl explicitely sired Vaati to create a weapon, he gloats in front of his kid that his mother died of despair when she saw her newborn, right before trying to torture Vaati to death. Can we just say "Father of the Year"?]]

* InfantImmortality: Averted. [[spoiler:Dethl kills several foals in their sleep, including Pipsqueak and Babs Seed, just to make Luna suffer.]]

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler: Not only Dethl explicitely sired Vaati to create a weapon, he gloats in front of his kid that his mother died of despair when she saw her newborn, right before trying to torture Vaati to death. Can we just say "Father of the Year"?]]

* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: Majora begins his attempts to conquer both worlds by having the Gohma and an army of the undead led by Gomess attack Hyrule Castle.

* KeystoneArmy: As before, the Gohma. [[spoiler:Except this time, it's UpToEleven, as Iemanis' death wipes out the entire species.]]

* OneWingedAngel: When they first appear, Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer have been transformed into Nightmares called Solar Flare and Starfall, respectfully.

* BadassPrincess: All of the Princesses show this when fighting Ganon at the Crystal Empire.

** Sombra recruits [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls Sunset Shimmer]] and [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E1TheCutieMapPart1 Starlight]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E2TheCutieMapPart2 Glimmer]] to the Church of Majora; the former with promises of finally [[AGodAmI becoming an alicorn]], the latter in order to spread her [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill twisted views on harmony]].

** Also, don't ever let Vaati catch you bullying someone. EVER.

* DemonicPossession: [[spoiler: Dethl possesses Diamond Tiara as part of a plot to kill Scootaloo.]]

** Since murder is such a rare crime in Equestria, [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara]] was sentenced to spend the rest of eternity in ''Tartarus'' after she tried to kill the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Thankfully, it doesn't stick after she's revealed to have been possessed against her will at the time.

* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara]], though she's unsuccessful.

* EnemyCivilWar: After Demise was killed in ''[[TheLegendOfZelda/SkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'', his throne in the Dark World was unoccupied, leaving a massive power vacuum that three lesser Demon Kings, [[TheLegendOfZelda/LinksAwakening Dethl]], [[TheLegendOfZelda/PhantomHourglass Bellum]], and [[TheLegendOfZelda/SpiritTracks Malladus]], raced to fill. Dethl won, with both of the others [[KilledOffForReal killed]] as a result.

* FinalBattle: The fight against Sombra for control of the Crystal Empire is the final conflict of the season.

* FromNobodyToNightmare: [[DreamWeaver Dethl]] is a literal example. He was originally the villain of TheLegendOfZelda/LinksAwakening and didn't even appear until the FinalBoss, and is, in general, a forgotten villain. Now, he's the ruler of the Dark World, TheDragon to [[GodOfEvil Majora himself]], the secondary antagonist of the whole series, and one evil bastard to boot.

** [[ForeShadowing Having "First" as part of its title]] is the first clue we get that this calamitous event is doomed to repeat itself, and we'll get to see it all first-hand.

* HellHound: The Hounds of Majora which are loaned to Sombra by Dethl to aid his conquest of the Crystal Empire.

* ImmortalImmaturity: Being stuck in the Four Sword for most of his immortal life did not give Vaati much of a chance to mature, and often acts like an utter child. He eventually gets better.

** This is what drives [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara]] to attempt to commit suicide after she's imprisoned in Tartarus.
** Vaati suffers this again once he discovers the krylock he had almost killed was a forcibly-transformed [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara]].
** Celestia, once she realizes what really caused [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara]] to try to kill the Crusaders.

* NoSell: When Rainbow Dash jousts Maulgrim during the Crystal Fair, she body slams him in the chest, only to knock herself out while the Darknut is barely affected.

* RedemptionEqualsAffliction: Diamond Tiara may be a bully, but she still did not deserve what happened to her: [[spoiler: Dethl, eager to punish Vaati for turning to good, picked up on Diamond's hatred for Scootaloo and then possessed her. Under Dethl's control, Diamond tried to burn down the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse, with them still inside. Luckily they were saved, but Dethl then fled, leaving a confused and disoriented Diamond to be captured. Because Dethl left no trace of its presence, all the blame was pinned on her, and she was sentenced to spend eternity in Tartarus. And then, to twist the knife in the wound further, she tried to kill herself by getting a monster to bite her, but instead of dying, she was turned into a monster herself. And then Dethl found her, took control of her again, and unleashed her on Ponyville in another attempt to kill Vaati's friends and loved ones. Vaati, not knowing this, nearly killed Diamond before her true identity was discovered, giving her barely enough time to be saved. Though she has thankfully been returned to normal and the truth about her actions discovered, she is permanently crippled as a result (Vaati cut off her front left leg and back right leg in his fight with her), and her life basically ruined.]]

** Also implied between Rarity and Maulgrim, though the author is also on the fence about this one, due to not being fond of OC/canon ships

** Granted, the child in question was [[spoiler: [[RichBitch Diamond Tiara]]]], who had ''just tried to kill the Cutie Mark Crusaders''. But given that she was possessed by Dethl at the time, that would make him a straight example.

** This comes into play during the fight for the Element of Kindness, as [[spoiler: they respectfully talk the Lizalfos and Volvagia into surrendering without a fight.]]
* AdultFear: When Vaati finds out that Scootaloo [[spoiler: was tormented and almost killed by Majora]], he completely breaks down.
* AgonyBeam: Majora is less than pleased that Ghirahim [[spoiler: allowed Daring Do and Ahuizotl to escape]], and promptly punishes him accordingly.

** Ganondorf occupies Canterlot as his headquarters for his conquest of Equestria. Fortunately, Vaati is smart enough to A) see this coming, and B) know that the ponies can't win a straight up fight, so convinces the Princesses to evacuate to the Crystal Empire [[spoiler: and leave Discord behind to mess with Ganon's forces]].
** After securing himself in Canterlot, Ganondorf sends Phantom Ganon to lead an army in an assault on Ponyville, in order to break the ponies' will. [[spoiler: It ultimately fails.]]

* AndThisIsFor: When Chrysalis finishes off the Gohma Queen, she claims it's for everyone of her changelings that the Gohma killed.

* [[AnyoneCanDie Anypony Can Die]]: So far, the death toll includes [[spoiler: Grey Hoof, Pipsqueak, Babs Seed, Fleet Foot, Flash Sentry, Octavia, Caramel, Seaswirl, Roseluck, Shanzom The Golden, Cloud Chaser, Raindrops]].
** [[spoiler: Subverted in the end of the season, however, when all but Grey Hoof, Pipsqueak, Babs Seed, and the thirteen other victims of Dethl's dream monsters are resurrected by a WorldHealingWave.]]

* TheAtoner: The Sunnytown ponies realize the error of their ways once Twilight reveals the truth about Cutie Marks to them, and offer to help them fight Grey Hoof and the Stalfos guarding the Element of Honesty, even if it doesn't lift them from their curse. [[spoiler: And as it turns out, it does.]]

* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler: Not only are the other Sunnytown ponies freed from the curse, but Ruby is restored to life.]]

** [[spoiler: Everyone killed during the Battle of the Crystal Empire, as well as Shanzom The Golden and the Wizzrobes who aided him in Cloudsdale, are revived by the Elements of Harmony's WorldHealingWave.]]

** TrueFinalBoss: [[spoiler: While Dethl is TheUnfought (aside from a brief duel with Luna that he flees from) and Ganondorf is defeated in the penultimate chapter, the final chapter has the Mane Six fighting the reborn Demise.]]

* CallingTheOldManOut: [[spoiler: When Daring Do reveals that she's Rainbow Dash's mother, Rainbow chews her out for abandoning her. However, her anger burns out when Daring breaks down in tears of shame, and they reconcile.]]
* TheCavalry: [[spoiler: The Diamond Dogs serve as this during the battle of Ponyville, showing up in time to help rout Ganon's forces.]]

* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: [[spoiler: Fluttershy's Stare is strong enough to break Ganondorf's control of Volvagia, leaving her free to leave to hand over the Element of Kindness without a fight.]]

** [[spoiler: Nigellas and Vinyl Scratch taking out Mothula counts too.]]
** [[spoiler: Vinyl gets another one during the Battle of the Crystal Empire when she kills Argorok in order to defend a wounded Octavia.]]
** [[spoiler: The Mane Six destroying the reborn Demise once and for all.]]

* DraggedOffToHell: [[spoiler: After Grey Hoof is forced to face the truth of his actions, the Everfree drags him off to face true punishment.]]

* DyingAsYourself: [[spoiler: Ganondorf, after being purified of Demise's curse.]]

* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Ahuizotl genuinely loves his pet cats [[spoiler: and Daring Do too, surprisingly]].

** Ghirahim quickly puts Ahuizotl in his place [[spoiler: leading to him teaming up with Daring Do.]]

** If [[spoiler:the Mane Six hadn't destroyed him, Demise]] intended to return to Dark World and [[spoiler:reclaim his throne from Dethl.]]

* FinalBattle: The battle against Ganondorf [[spoiler: and Demise]] in Canterlot Castle.
* FinalDeath: [[spoiler:Demise's curses are broken when the Elements destroy him for good, this includes the one on Ganondorf, resulting in him dying once and for all soon afterwards.]]

** Played for laughs when Rainbow Dash realizes that, [[spoiler: since Daring Do is her mother, and now romantically involved with Ahuizotl, Ahuizotl might potentially become her ''stepfather''.]]
** Played completely serious with Luna when [[spoiler: she fails to save Pipsqueak (and several other foals) from Dethl.]]
** Played straight by Vaati when [[spoiler: The Elements of Harmony release Demise from Ganondorf's body.]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Ahuizotl's cats distract Ghirahim long enough for Ahuizotl and Daring Do to make their escape.]]
* HijackedByGanon: [[InvertedTrope Inverted]]. Another villain is working behind the scenes, using Ganondorf as nothing more than a distraction so it can recruit allies without being discovered. Also, it's repeatedly mentioned throughout the story that Ganon is himself ultimately just a puppet of Demise's reincarnated hatred [[spoiler: which manifests separately during the FinalBattle.]]
* HiveQueen: The Gohma Queen, of course. [[spoiler: Fittingly, Chrysalis, the Changelings' HiveQueen, is the one who kills her.]]
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler:Demise takes the Triforce of Power when he's resurrected...but the Elements communicate with it and cause it to begin resisting him. When the Mane Six stab him with the Spear of Harmony, their power meshes with it and kills him DeaderThanDead.]]
* InfantImmortality: Averted. [[spoiler: Dethl kills several foals in their sleep, including Pipsqueak and Babs Seed, just to make Luna suffer.]]

* KeystoneArmy: [[spoiler: When the Gohma Queen is killed, her brood all turn on each other.]]
* KneelBeforeZod: Ganon, of course, does this all the time. [[spoiler: As does Demise, upon being reborn.]]
* KnightOfCerebus: Ghirahim's presence quickly ends the semi-playful rivalry cycle between Daring Do and Ahuizotl [[spoiler: forcing them to team up against the Church of Majora.]]

* LoopholeAbuse: [[spoiler: Sul-Kat-Na, the leader of the Lizalfos troops, uses the fact that Ganon never gave the order to not surrender as an excuse to accept Twilight's offer to do so.]]
* LoveRedeems: [[spoiler: Ahuizotl's love for Daring Do causes him to have a HeelFaceTurn.]]
* LukeIAmYourFather: A non-villain related example, as [[spoiler: Daring Do turns out to be Rainbow Dash's mother]].
* MacGuffinGuardian: Since the second season plays out more like a proper Zelda story, Ganon places each of the Elements of Harmony under the protection of a powerful monster -- the Element of Honesty is guarded by Grey Hoof and a Stallord, the Element of Kindness by Volvagia, the Element of Generosity by the Gohma Queen, the Element of Loyalty by Shanzom, and the Element of Laughter by Twinrova, while Ganon keeps the Element of Magic on his person.

* MookLieutenant: When Ganon enters the Battle of the Crystal Empire personally, he leaves command of his forces to a Moblin chieftan named Karuna.

* MyGreatestFailure: Daring Do's is [[spoiler: abandoning her daughter Rainbow Dash at birth]], out of cowardice.

* NobleDemon: Sul-Kat-Na is an honorable being, who only serves Ganondorf because of the curse Demise lay on the monster races. [[spoiler: When Twilight promises to find a way to break it, he agrees to surrender.]]

* ParentalAbandonment: [[spoiler: Daring Do is Rainbow Dash's mother, who abandoned her with her father at birth, out of fear that she wouldn't be a good parent.]] She deeply regrets this.

** Ganon receives several such moments during the Battle of the Crystal Empire. First, Cadence and Celestia give him a joint TheReasonYouSuckSpeech on what a horrid ruler he truly is, Celestia later tells him how his refusal of ThePowerOfFriendship is his true weakness and why he keeps losing, and finally, [[spoiler: Nightmare Moon]] ''literally'' tells him to do this when he's [[EvilGloating gloating]] over his inevitable victory.

* SuperMode: [[spoiler:The Mane Six's Elements of Harmony fuse with their weapons and power them up enough they can fight Demise head on and ultimately destroy him. It's later revealed the Elements fused with their bearers like the Triforces did with Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf.]]

* SuperPoweredEvilSide: [[spoiler: Luna shows during the Battle of the Crystal Empire that she can shift into Nightmare Moon at will.]]

* TakeUpMySword: [[spoiler: As the purified Ganondorf lies dying, he passes the Triforce of Power on to Vaati.]]
* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: Ahuizotl says that this is why he won't let Ghirahim kill Daring Do. [[spoiler: The truth is [[VillainousCrush a bit more complicated than that]].]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: [[spoiler: Majora's Avatar gives one to Discord, belittling his powers as childish antics, before nearly killing him.]]

** Phantom Ganon's reaction when [[spoiler: Doctor Whooves and Derpy]] manage to mortally wound him. To which Maulgrim [[PreMortemOneLiner only has one thing to say before finishing him off]]:

* TragicMonster: [[spoiler: Volvagia. In this incarnation, Volvagia is the child of Gleerok, and lived with her on Mt. Crenel back in Hyrule. One day, when Volvagia was very young, an evil presence invaded Mt. Crenel. Gleerok tried to get Volvagia to safety, but when she turned around, the evil presence turned her into a vicious monster that didn't even recognize her own child. Volvagia had no choice but to flee from its mother. When Volvagia returned some days later though, it discovered that its mother was dead, slain by the Hero of Legend, whom the Goron praised. Volvagia never forgave the hero or the Gorons, and eventually grew into a monster.]]

* VillainousCrush: [[spoiler: Ahuizotl is in love with Daring Do, and keeps up his evil schemes just to have an excuse to keep running into her. He finally confesses his feelings to her at the end of chapter 12 to give her the confidence she needs to confront Rainbow Dash about her own secret.]]

** Majora intends to recruit Ahuizotl and his followers, in order to form a base core for the Church of Majora's presence in Equestria... and then to kill Ahuizotl himself [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness when he's no longer necessary]]. [[spoiler: Ahuizotl is smart enough to see this coming, and flees with Daring Do before it's too late.]]

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: The huge influx of power Vaati received during his first rise to power eventually drove him mad, and didn't recover his sanity until he had it knocked back into him by Ganon during [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwords his second escape from the Four Sword]].

** [[spoiler:Discord doesn't fair very well against Majora's avatar. Though unlike the above examples, the CMC ultimately help him turn the tables and beat the Avatar.]]
* [[spoiler: WorldHealingWave]]: [[spoiler: The Elements Of Harmony let one of these off after defeating Demise, resurrecting everyone who was killed during the battle for The Crystal Empire, as well as Shanzom and his fellow Wizzrobes, in addition to freeing the monster races from Demise's curse.]]
* WouldHarmAChild: Majora and Dethl intend to MindRape Scootaloo to the point of breaking her completely, and then using her as a weapon against Vaati. [[spoiler: They ultimately fail.]]
** [[spoiler: Dethl, meanwhile, unleashes multiple dream monsters into the dreams of fifty Equestrians, fifteen of which manage to kill their victims, which include Pipsqueak and Babs Seed.]]
* WreckedWeapon: [[spoiler:During the final fight with Demise, the Mane Six focus the Elements power and destroy the Trident of Power.]]

* YouShallNotPass: Shining Armor pulls this on Ganon during the Battle of the Crystal Empire. [[spoiler: He doesn't die, but it still doesn't end well for him.]]

* YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle: The bulk of Ganondorf's army is wiped out during the Battle of the Crystal Empire, but rather than face down Vaati and the Mane Six there, he abducts the unconscious Princesses and flees back to Canterlot in order to regain his strength for the FinalBattle. [[spoiler: And even when he's defeated, they still have to fight the reborn Demise.]]

* AnyoneCanDie: Just like in the last season, but this time with no handy resurrection available. So far, the list is [[spoiler: Pokey Pierce, Allie Way, Blues Noteworthy, Boxxy Brown, Rainbowshine, Shoeshine, Silverspeed, Carrot Cake.]]

* TheAtoner: Diamond Tiara, both for her previous bullying, and more importantly, for what she did while possessed by Dethl. Notably, Discord's apparently offered to restore her lost limbs, but she's refused, so that there'll always be a reminder of what she did. [[spoiler: This leads to her accepting the BargainWithHeaven offered to her.]]
* BargainWithHeaven: [[spoiler: Ooccoo offers one to Diamond Tiara on behalf of the Golden Goddesses, to become their champion in Equestria in order to seek atonement for what Dethl made her do.]]

* HorrifyingTheHorror: After seeing what the Elements of Harmony did to Ganon [[spoiler: and Demise]], Dethl is worried that they might be as effective against him.

* LukeIAmYourFather: While it hasn't been outright confirmed yet, Iemanis' comments during the Battle of the Everfree strongly implies that [[spoiler: Dethl is Vaati's father.]]

* PapaWolf: Mr. Cake turns into a certifiable badass during the Gohma attack in order to protect his family. [[spoiler: Sadly, he doesn't survive it.]]
* SadisticChoice: During the Battle of the Everfree, Iemanis gives the heroes the choice of [[spoiler: defending the Tree of Harmony, or Ponyville]]. In the end, [[spoiler: the main group stays with the Tree, while Celestia goes to Ponyville.]]

* TheCavalry: Two examples during the attack on Hyrule Castle -- first, [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara returns, and helps Zelda awaken the Silent Realm Guardians]], and then Chrysalis and her Changelings swoop in.

* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: [[spoiler: Chrysalis kills Iemanis, and then holds off Majora's Avatar long enough for the Mane Six to destroy it with the Elements.]]

* KeystoneArmy: As before, the Gohma. [[spoiler: Except this time, it's UpToEleven, as Iemanis' death wipes out the entire species.]]

* LukeIAmYourFather: Dethl finally reveals to Vaati that he's his father, right before [[spoiler: trying to kill him]].

* OnlyFriend: Link admits that Zelda is his only real friend, since everyone else {{Hero Worship}}s him. He says he actual envies Vaati all his friends.
* RaceAgainstTheClock: The Mane Six's quest to become the new Sages is this, both because of the looming threat of Majora's conquest of both worlds, but also because [[spoiler: Majora's curse on Vaati will kill him without the Sage's power to remove it]].

** The scene where Daphnes has a breakdown in light of impending attack and has to be knocked out by Agahnim is very much like what [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Gandalf has to do to Dethenor]].

* WeWillMeetAgain: Dethl says this after being driven off from [[spoiler: his attack on Vaati]] by Luna, Twilight, Zelda and Impa.

* YourMindMakesItReal: [[spoiler: The torture Vaati is given by Dethl in his dream transfers into his real body, leaving him in critical condition.]]

* CurbStompBattle: From a legal standpoint, Vaati's trial ends up being this, in a total aversion of the KangarooCourt his friends were fearing -- the prosecution's entire case is basically "he was a villain in the past, so he must still be", which collapses in light of Link and Zelda forgiving him for his past misdeeds, and the endless stream of positive character witness statements from everyone who knows him in Equestria.

* TheCalvalry: Two examples during the attack on Hyrule Castle -- first, [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara returns, and helps Zelda awaken the Silent Realm Guardians]], and then Chrysalis and her Changelings swoop in.

* TheCalvary: Two examples during the attack on Hyrule Castle -- first, [[spoiler: Diamond Tiara returns, and helps Zelda awaken the Silent Realm Guardians]], and then Chrysalis and her Changelings swoop in.

* SuperMode: As implied during the fight with Ganon in the previous season, Luna reveals during the fight with Majora's Avatar that she's learned to harness Nightmare Moon's power without letting it control her.

* BigDamnHeroes: Link appears at the very end of chapter 2, just in time to save Zelda from a Shadow Bat.

* BestialityIsDepraved: Link seems to jump to this when he learns about Vaati and Luna's relationship. She's less than pleased at the statement.

* FollowTheLeader: This interpretation of Vaati has proven to be popular, spawning a number of spin-off fanfics and even a GarrysMod series, though WordOfGod makes it clear none of these are considered part of his universe.

* BargainWithHeaven: [[spoiler: Ooccoo offers one to Diamond Tiara on behalf of the Folden Goddesses, to become their champion in Equestria in order to seek atonement for what Dethl made her do.]]

* TheAtoner: Diamond Tiara, both for her previous bullying, and more importantly, for what she did while possessed by Dethl. Notably, Discord's apparently offered to restore her lost limbs, but she's refused, so that there'll always be a reminder of what she did.

* CruelAndUnusualPunishment: When Grey Hoof found out the other Sunnytown ponies were helping Vaati, Zecora, and The Mane Six take back the Element of Honesty, he had them tied to wooden stakes which were used to light the room they fought him and the Stallord in. Since the Sunnytown ponies couldn't die, that meant that [[AndIMustScream their punishment would never end if Grey Hoof hadn't been defeated]].

* AndIMustScream: When Grey Hoof found out the other Sunnytown ponies were helping Vaati, Zecora, and The Mane Six take back the Element of Honesty, he had them tied to wooden stakes which were used to light the room they fought him and the Stallord in. Since the Sunnytown ponies couldn't die, that meant that their punishment would never end if Grey Hoof hadn't been defeated.

* DangerouslyGenreSavvy: Grogar and Dethl send the Gohma to destroy the Tree of Harmony, in order to likewise destroy the Elements, and the Mane Six by extension.
** Iemanis' strategy during this counts as well, as he [[spoiler: launches a diversionary attack on the Diamond Dog mines in order to tie up all forces not defending the Tree, and then sends the rest of the Gohma to attack Ponyville.]]

* GenreSavvy: When Discord escapes, Vaati realizes that the maze is a trap, and that the Elements of Harmony are really in Ponyville.

** Ganondorf occupies Canterlot as his headquarters for his conquest of Equestria. Fortunately, Vaati is GenreSavvy enough to A) see this coming, and B) know that the ponies can't win a straight up fight, so convinces the Princesses to evacuate to the Crystal Empire [[spoiler: and leave Discord behind to mess with Ganon's forces]].