Line #50 Fanfic/AndSoWeFight


1	->Perhaps it is written in destiny that the struggle between that of Wisdom and Courage against that of Power is eternal. Perhaps it is inevitable that conflict and war shall be birthed of that struggle. But what is also eternal is our refusal to let this overwhelm us. Darkness can never win. [[TitleDrop And so we fight.]]
2	-->-- Summary text
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4	''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10750990/1/And-So-We-Fight And So We Fight]]'', abbreviated as '''ASWF''', is a ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' fanfic written by The Fighting Irishman. It was initially published on [=FanFiction.net=] in 2014.
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6	The story is a novelization and AdaptationExpansion of ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors''. In addition to Link, Zelda, Impa, and the heroes of legend fighting to take down the dark witch Cia, an unlikely group has joined the cause: the Ravagers, a RagTagBunchOfMisfits guerrilla army—made up of settlers, ne'er-do-wells, thieves, bandits, and other lovely sorts—all led by their charismatic captain Ishaka. Together, they all stand against the forces of the darkness.
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8	In addition to the main story, ''ASWF'' also features the "Hyrulian Codex", an ''extensive'' series of footnotes and citations at the end of every chapter. These entries build upon the history of the universe, with enough detail and frequency to channel the ghost of Creator/DavidFosterWallace. Codex entries include information on characters (usually historical figures), languages, music, and even examples of profanity that would shock a Hyrulian scholar. (Trivia: one such piece of profanity is so [[FantasticRacism racist]] that the only way to use it safely is: '''''not. at. all.''''')
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10	Oh, and as one can expect given the source material, ''ASWF'' has a lot of characters, with much of the cast including the Ravagers and several non-warrior characters.
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12	With a diverse cast and an expanded plotline, ''ASWF'' is both a celebration of [[MythologyGag the game series' history]] and [[WarIsHell a more realistic look]] at just what kind of effect such a massive conflict can have on a large scale.
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14	----
15
16	!! ''And So We Fight'' contains examples of:
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18	* AbortedArc: As cool as the implications of it might be [[spoiler: Link and Zelda discovering the tomb of the [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Fierce Deity]] doesn't really amount to anything in the plot other than fanservice.]]
19	* ActionFilmQuietDramaScene: More of a literary example, but there are plenty of moments where there is a break in the fighting for backstories to be expounded upon. Considering it's rather difficult to have these moments in the midst of a battle, this [[JustifiedTrope makes sense.]]
20	* ActionGirl: Just like in the original game, there are plenty of these in the story as well. Zelda, Midna, Impa, Lana, Ruto, Agitha…need we go on?
21	* AdaptationExpansion: Oh so much. ''Hyrule Warriors'' was more about the experience of playing as a bunch of famous Zelda characters than about [[ExcusePlot the narrative]] in the first place. Here, TFI has taken it upon himself to not only create a more fluid narrative between battles, but also to expand upon the backstories and thoughts and motivations of the characters.
22	* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:Cia's]] death is a somber scene.
23	* AloneWithThePsycho: Said word for word in Chapter 22, when [[spoiler:Link is captured by Cia]].
24	* AnyoneCanDie: And yes, many do.
25	* ArmorPiercingQuestion: "What's his favorite color?"
26	* ArmyOfThievesAndWhores: Zant calls the Ravager army this trope almost completely verbatim, when they reach his base in the Twilight Realm. [[InsultBackfire Ishaka is only upset]] that Zant forgot to include the fact that the Ravager army [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs has "thievin' whores" in it as well]].
27	* BadassArmy: In a refreshing change from their [[RedshirtArmy usual]] [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy performance]] in canon, the Hyrulian army in this fic tends to hold its own quite well against the forces of darkness. Particularly noteworthy are the Twilight Wolves, an elite unit of ten soldiers described by Ishaka as 'maniacs'.
28	* BloodierAndGorier: Injuries are depicted in more detail than in the original game.
29	* BattleHaltingDuel: Everyone around on both sides, stops fighting to watch Impa and Volga's final duel. [[spoiler:Once she wins, the Hyrulian forces immediately resume the attack on the terrified evil forces.]]
30	* BringIt: Between Volga and Impa:
31	-->'''Volga:''' You really are a glutton for punishment, you know. The last time we fought you were barely able to stand. What makes you think this time will be any different, with my power so greater than before?
32	-->'''Impa:''' Because this time I won't stop until you're noting more than a greasy smear on the end of my father's naginata. ''Let's go.''
33	* ConvectionSchmonvection: Averted. It is explicitly said that the only reason the group can travel through the Eldin Caves and be right next to lava is due to [[AWizardDidIt Goron Magic]]. Otherwise, they would be instantly immolated.
34	* DeadpanSnarker: Several characters get in on the action, but Impa in particular leads the pack.
35	* DirtForcefield: AVERTED. The number of people who make it through a battle ''without'' suffering some degree of dirtying or bleeding can be counted on one finger.
36	* {{Doorstopper}}: Over 300,000 words in length.
37	* FantasticSlur: "Fecacutis" (roughly "shit skin") as an unfathomably offensive slur for the Shiekah (and to a lesser extent, anyone dark skinned). It is considered so offensive, that academics will refuse to even write it down when translating documents; and a Shiekah is considered honor bounded to kill someone who uses it against them, and will face no legal repercussions for doing so.
38	* FemmeFatale: Cia. And she is ''not'' above exploiting it to her benefit.
39	* FootnoteFever: A staple of the fic. There's enough detail in these things to tell almost an entire separate story by itself!
40	* ForegoneConclusion: Because it is essentially a novelization of ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors'', you know how the plot is going to end. The ''real'' fun is seeing how we get there.
41	* GargleBlaster: Bublin home grog is apparently 50% pure alcohol. Matthew Grantham can barely get a single sip down. Ishaka can drink it easily...but he immediately gets drunk. Darunia thinks it ''isn't strong enough''.
42	* GoodCopBadCop: Called White Knight Black Knight in Hyrule. Ishaka and Itami pull it on a few captured mooks. Ishaka beats the living hell out of two of them...and then it turns out he was the ''good'' cop.
43	* HeterosexualLifePartners: Impa and Zelda are shaping up to be this over the course of the narrative. They discuss all sorts of things in private, and are not afraid to [[TheGadfly tease one another]] over the silliest of things.
44	** Ishaka is apparently this with several people in the Ravager army. Itami and Big Finn come to mind.
45	* IfICantHaveYou: [[spoiler:Cia, when she finally realizes that Link loves Zelda instead of her]].
46	* IfMyCalculationsAreCorrect: Fi, all the time.
47	* KneelBeforeFrodo: [[spoiler:When Link draws the Master Sword (and kills Wizzro)]] proving he truly is the Hero of Time, everyone present, including ''4'' rulers (5 if you count Agitha), bows before him.
48	* LecherousLicking: A spectacularly creepy one, where Cia licks ''[[LickingTheBlade the Master Sword]]'', while making {{Double Entendre}}s and keeping eye contact with Link.
49	* NotAMorningPerson: Impa considers waking Zelda one of the riskier parts of her job; and Zelda has a tendency to throw things at her "with the speed of an enraged Cucoo".
50	* OhCrap: Many, as to be expected for a war story, but special mention should go to Zelda's reaction in the end of Chapter 23, when she sees [[spoiler:Ganondorf]].
51	* OneWingedAngel: As to be expected, Ganondorf becoming Ganon.
52	* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: Ishaka is definitely this.
53	* ReallyGetsAround: Princess Ruto is implied to be this. Definitely PlayedForLaughs, as in between that she is still a competent if slightly over-privileged ruler.
54	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Cia gives a vicious one to [[spoiler:Ishaka]].
55	** ShutUpHannibal: He gives an ''epic'' one of these in return.
56	* ShoutOut: After [[EstablishingCharacterMoment Link defeats a ravager in combat,]] Ishaka snarks, [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger "He's still skinny."]]
57	** When Ishaka suggests they go through the Eldin Caves, he and Impa have [[Film/{{Airplane}} familiar exchange]]
58	--->'''Impa:''' Surely, you jest?\
59	'''Ishaka:''' I be ser'us, though my name ain't Shirley.
60	** Ishaka has a bomb knock a pillar into lava [[BridgeLogic making a bridge]], he quips "[[WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire Made a bridge. And it only took whuh...ten sec'nds?]]"
61	** [[spoiler:Zelda and Ganondorf's final exchange]] is straight out of ''Film/{{Goldeneye}}'', almost word for word.
62	** Cia singing "Only You" while [[StalkerWithACrush thinking about Link]] is reminiscent of ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity''.
63	** The Ravagers have a marching song that is clearly inspired by US Paratrooper song "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_on_the_Risers Blood on the Risers]]".
64	** Impa kills a Gothma, only for it to fall on her. Leading to "[[VideoGame/Halo3ODST (muffled) Get this thing off me]]".
65	** The Water Temple has a "[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Watcher in the Water]]".
66	*** Also, getting to the Tomb of the First Zora requires getting through an archway marked "Speak friend and enter".
67	*** "The way is shut. It was made by those of the dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut."
68	** It is explicitly said that "Big Finn is essentially Creator/BillyConnolly from ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies''.
69	** The "Prayer of Relief" concludes with "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Hitch_in_Hell The Soldier's Prayer]].
70	** Ishaka caps a RousingSpeech by noting they have brave enemies awaiting them..."''[[Series/GameOfThrones let's go kill them]]''".
71	** In Chapter 23, Gawain [[spoiler: relieving [=McClellan=] of command]] has a lot of similarities with [[spoiler:Spiers doing the same to Dike]] in ''Series/BandOfBrothers''.
72	*** Shortly after, Itami [[spoiler:runs right enemy lines to meet with a pinned down allied advancement, and then runs back through the enemy lines]], just like Spiers run through Voi (in the show and RealLife).
73	** Cia's ReasonYouSuckSpeech to [[spoiler:Ishaka]] concludes the same way the one the Joker gave to Batman in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyondReturnOfTheJoker.''
74	** [[spoiler:Ishaka]]'s ShutUpHannibal is from ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke''.
75	** Impa and Volga's [[spoiler:last exchange]] is more or less the same as the one between Superman and Darkseid in the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' episode "Twiight".
76	* SideBet: Ishaka and Impa have ''a lot'' of these. Eventually, we don't see them making the bet, and instead simply see one of them hand the other money after something happens, leaving it to us to work out the specifics of the bet.
77	* SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay: Impa figures out that [[spoiler:Sheik is Zelda halfway through the Era of Time campaign]], all thanks to the song she's playing.
78	-->'''Impa''': I know that song because I taught it to you, [[spoiler:''Zelda'']].
79	* StalkerWithACrush: Just like in the original game, Cia is this towards Link. But now, thanks to the wonders of narrative point-of-view shifts, we get to see some of the ways that she goes about doing this. It is ''creepy.''
80	* TemptingFate:
81	** While exploring the Eldin Caves, Impa quips that things are rather boring and she almost wished something would happen. They are promptly attacked by hundreds of Stalchildren.
82	--->'''Impa:''' I WAS KIDDING!
83	** Then there's this exchange in the final battle:
84	--->'''Midna:''' Is that all this Ganondorf has got?\
85	'''Impa:''' I would not advise making comments of that nature, friend Midna.\
86	'''Midna:''' Why not? What's he gonna do, throw his soul at us?\
87	'''Ganondorf:''' ''(throws his soul at them)''\
88	'''Midna:''' Ugh, I was ''fucking kidding!''
89	* SympathyForTheDevil: Lana, Impa, and Ishka all admit to pitying Cia.
90	* WarIsHell: Death and destruction, grievous injuries, and loss. Despite the heroes recognizing the necessity of their actions, they don't enjoy the fighting.
91	* WellExcuseMePrincess: Zelda isn't haughty (at all), but she and Link do enjoy snarky banter. He actually says this to her word-for-word, more than once.
92	* WorldOfBadass: This is an expansion upon ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors''. What did you expect?
93	* WrestlerInAllOfUs: There are a couple of moves that sound like they wouldn't be out of place in the WWE. Particularly in Impa's fight with [[spoiler: a brainwashed Darunia]], where she employs a triangle choke and an improvised tornado DDT. [[spoiler: Darunia]] gets in on the action too, hitting her with a [[RammingAlwaysWorks spear]] that nearly broke her back.
94	** The author might be a wrestling fan too, considering the periodic use of the phrase "crimson mask" to describe when a character is bleeding from the face.
95	* {{Yandere}}: Cia slowly becomes one as the story progresses. [[spoiler:Sadly (for her), a certain FirstKiss drives her ''clear'' over the edge.]]
96	* YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm: A footnote says this word for word about the Imprisoned.
97	* YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe: Midna's reaction when Fi turns into the Goddess Sword.
98	-->"You've got to be fucking kidding me".
99	* YouNeedToGetLaid: Midna's initial assessment of Ryu during Lana and Ishaka's foray into the Era of Twilight. Lana is appalled, but astonishingly, Ryu [[{{Touche}} grants that Midna's right]].
100	* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Said word for word (respectfully) when Itami compliments a kill [[ActualPacifist Lord Grantham made]].

Context Fanfic / AndSoWeFight