Timelines: Is there even an Adult and Child Timeline?

With the burst of timeline and timeline related threads, I want to shed some light onto the timeline. I don't think I've seen anyone on Zelda Universe believe in a timeline that is not split, or does not have the Adult and Child paradox from OoT. This surprises me. Really, it does. Out of around 1000 people, (more?) on arguably the largest Zelda site on the web, not one person that I've met here doesn't believe in the split timeline. I'm not saying I do, in fact right now I don't know what to believe. Being tricked by Ocarinahero10 (The devil!) and persuaded by alot of people like Beemnrov and some other people, I just want to show the facts and the fiction.

Firstly, the paradox at the end of Ocarina of Time, it happened, but does it really effect the entire timeline? Splitting it into Child and Adult? The thing is, it's not proven. No. Though highly believed and possible, it's not official. This is a fact, a true statement. Not a theory, not a speculation, but an entirely true statement. I'll say it one more time to get it through your heads: It is not official that there is an adult and child timeline, it has never been totally 100% proven at all. Highly likely or not, it isn't proven. Alright? So don't go screaming your heads off at me. So if there weren't an adult and child timeline, forgetting the paradox at the end of Ocarina of Time completely, Let's take a look at the timeline, shall we?

This is what's proven, facts, official, etc:

OoT--MM--TP

WW--PH

MC--FS--FSA

OoA--OoS

LoZ--AoL

Am I missing anything that's official? I think not. The rest are a theory, likely or not, they are measly a theory. A widely rumored theory is that Wind Waker proceeds Majora's Mask. Why? Because in the beginning of Wind Waker, assumably, Link is seen fighting off Ganon and Ganon returning to fight Hyrule. Because Link isn't around to stop him, the goddesses flood Hyrule ending it there and then. But they didn't and creates the events of Wind Waker, yadda yadda. Many believe that the reason Ganon returns and fights back is because Link was in Termina, looking for Navi and fighting off Majora. This might actually work IGNORING THE PARADOX IN OCARINA OF TIME. So it could go:

OoT--MM--TP--WW--PH

Others think that Loz and Aol comes in there too, between TP and WW. But this seems obscure as Ganon would appear 3 times (OoT TP LoZ WW). So this actually couldn't work, sadly. Why? Because Ganon appears again within TP, this would ruin the fact of WW being flooded, because Ganon would appear within TP. So it doesn't work out. But it still could go:

OoT--MM--TP--WW--PH

Remember that past the point of WW Ganondorf and Ganon exist no longer, so any games using Ganon or Ganondorf as the antagonist can not go after PH. So this is how it would work:

OoT--MM--WW--PH

Simply as that. There is one flaw with this, it officially goes OoT--MM--TP. How could we substitute? You may have saw this coming. Repeat on an alternative Timeline. That's what you do.

.........--MM--TP
OoT
........--MM--WW--PH

So far it's working! Remember that it doesn't split as an Adult and Child Timeline, rather an alternate splitting. This took a while to explain it to some people. But let me tell you, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AT AND CT, GOT IT?

Now then, what next you ask? Well the Oracle games of course! It appears to me and alot of people that OoX comes after PH, this a large agreed theory and I think it's pretty self-explanatory. So far:

........--MM--TP
OoT
.........--WW--PH--OoX

Adding a couple games, let's go directly to MC and FS/FSA. Assuming that OoT comes first, (there has been some serious debate over this, I'm just assuming this as if OoT did come first. So don't whoop me, please.) If MC doesn't go before OoT where could it go? After OoX. Simply:

........--MM--TP
OoT
........--MM--WW--PH--OoX--MC--FS/FSA

Now we're finished with the bottom branch of timeline. Let's go right ahead and add the first two Zeldas. LoZ and AoL, though not realized, it's almost totally excepted after TP. I haven't seen a fight ever sprung up about it. IT seems logical, too. By putting the events of TP before LoZ, it would fit just nicely.

........--MM--TP--LoZ--AoL
OoT
........--MM--WW--PH--OoX--MC--FS--FSA

Working to ALttP. Many people believe it came after FS/FSA. I don't I have my reasons. One main reason is that the Master Sword exists within ALttP, in fact, it takes a major role. But in MC and above, the master sword no longer exists, replaced by the four sword. Many debate over this, but I just believe that is so. Where else would it go? Hmm... It's said to be a direct sequel to OoT, but that isn't entirely true. It can't go after TP, because Ganondorf no longer exists. Where would it go? There's one logical place, and this is where it starts to seem a tad obscure to some: A new split timeline. This is what I'm saying:

........--MM--TP--LoZ--AoL
OoT--ALttP
........--MM--WW--PH--OoX--MC--FS--FSA

This is where some think I'm totally off, crazy, insane, high, (maybe not that)but why not? Is there anything to say there can't be a third branch? No. Not that I've heard from. Oppose me if you think not, but I'm just trying to prove that it is possible for there to be a third branch, and no AT or CT.

Finally, LA. This one has stumped many theorists. When looked upon, one would have no idea whatsoever. But after thought, and seeing the events snap nicely together. With the fact that so many agree upon this (again oppose me if you think I'm wrong) but it appears to go after A Link to the Past. With the fact it is made just a measly game afterwards, Nintendo probably planned that. And the fact that Link gets the Triforce at the end, he could've wished to go to another world, but got lost at Koholint. And due to the other placement of the games, it would fit best there. It could go after FSA, but it seems to generic to go there. And remember, I'm ignoring the paradox at the end of OoT. So finally,

........--MM--TP--LoZ--AoL
OoT--ALttP--LA
.........--MM--WW--PH--OoX--MC--FS--FSA

To conclude, I'm not saying this is true or not, infact this is totally a theory. All I want to say to you, is that the Adult and Child timeline isn't the only possible solution.

...the split timeline is official.

The developers have confirmed that at least twice. And the games themselves make it rather clear too.

Originally Posted by from an interview in 2007

"About when is the Twilight Princess timeline set?

Aonuma: In a world some hundred years after 'Ocarina of Time.'

"And 'Wind Waker"

Aonuma: 'Wind Waker' is parallel. In 'Ocarina of Time,' Link jumps to
a world seven years ahead, defeats Ganon, and returns to the time of
his childhood, right? 'Twilight Princess' is a world a hundred some
years after that pacified childhood time.

Originally Posted by xoɹǝpnpɐpןǝz

It is not official that there is an adult and child timeline, it has never been totally 100% proven at all. Highly likely or not, it isn't proven.

Q: Where does The Wind Waker fit into the overall Zelda series timeline?

Aonuma: You can think of this game as taking place over a hundred years after Ocarina of Time. You can tell this from the opening story, and there are references to things from Ocarina located throughout the game as well.

Miyamoto: Well, wait, which point does the hundred years start from?

Aonuma: From the end.

Miyamoto: No, I mean, as a child or as a...

Aonuma: Oh, right, let me elaborate on that. Ocarina of Time basically has two endings of sorts; one has Link as a child and the other has him as an adult. This game, The Wind Waker, takes place a hundred years after the adult Link defeats Ganon at the end of Ocarina.

Miyamoto: This is pretty confusing for us, too. (laughs) So be careful.

Couldn't find the true site where this was said, but found something close : http://www.zeldalegends.net/index.php?p=233

In terms of the storyline, we've decided that this takes place 100 years after the events in The Ocarina of Time. We think that as you play through the game, you'll notice that in the beginning the storyline explains some of the events in The Ocarina of Time. You'll also find hints of things from The Ocarina of Time that exist in The Wind Waker.

There's also a more complicated explanation. If you think back to the end of The Ocarina of Time, there were two endings to that game in different time periods. First Link defeated Ganon as an adult, and then he actually went back to being a child. You could say that The Wind Waker takes place 100 years after the ending in which Link was an adult.

Source : http://www.zelda.com/gcn/legend.jsp?page=2

–When does Twilight Princess take place?

Aonuma: In the world of Ocarina of Time, a hundred and something years later.

–And the Wind Waker?

Aonuma: The Wind Waker is parallel. In Ocarina of Time, Link flew seven years in time, he beat Ganon and went back to being a kid, remember? Twilight Princess takes place in the world of Ocarina of Time, a hundred and something years after the peace returned to kid Link’s time. In the last scene of Ocarina of Time, kids Link and Zelda have a little talk, and as a consequence of that talk, their relationship with Ganon takes a whole new direction. In the middle of this game [Twilight Princess], there’s a scene showing Ganon’s execution. Link and Zelda left him be and he then did something outrageous, so it was decided that he should be executed. That scene takes place several years after Ocarina of Time. Ganon was sent to another world and now he wants to obtain the power...

Source : http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?su..._from=&ucat=19

All of these I think points to confirming OoT splitting the Timeline into 2.

Finally, LA. This one has stumped many theorists. When looked upon, one would have no idea whatsoever. But after thought, and seeing the events snap nicely together. With the fact that so many agree upon this (again oppose me if you think I'm wrong) but it appears to go after A Link to the Past. With the fact it is made just a measly game afterwards, Nintendo probably planned that.

Go to my LA debate thread

It is not official that there is an adult and child timeline, it has never been totally 100% proven at all. Highly likely or not, it isn't proven.

Sorry, yes it is- I'd put the links to the interviews again but bitterlime and ZeldaZealot have done this adequately.

It is confirmed- 100% official.

I can't say I like the split Timeline, but at least it means the Hyrule of OoT survives in one reality....

Though I'm still annoyed they seem to have mostly killed off the Gerudo in both timelines....

The following have all been confirmed at some point or another:

LoZ/AoL

ALttP/LA

OoT-LoZ/AoL-ALttP

OoT (Child)/MM

OoS/OoA

OoT (Adult)-TWW

TMC-FS-FSA

OoT (Child)-TP

TWW/PH

Majora's Mask proves that the Adult Timeline didn't happen because Link has the Ocarina of Time and Epona with him when they shouldn't be there (his past self should be in possession of the Ocarina and Epona should have never left the ranch).
Then Wind Waker made direct references to the Hero of Time disappearing after defeating Ganon, as well as the seven sages he awakened being in stained-glass windows, meaning that the Adult Timeline did happen.

If it didn't happen and it did happen, then continuity is split in two.

It is confirmed- 100% official.

You're saying it's confirmed because Miyamato said so, he also said OoT came first. And alot of people think MC came first. Even if it were real, this would probably be the correct timeline if it weren't.

Actually Aonuma said it twice and Miyamoto has said it- two of the developers a combined four/five times.

And Miyamoto said OoT was first like a decade before tMC's release- hence the problem as OoT was first when the quote was but it hasn't been said again since tMC. False analogy there, my friend.

Within the last couple of years we've had several interviews confirming the split.

Being tricked by Ocarinahero10 (The devil!)

Ha! So you finally came to your senses, huh? Actually, I'm in support of an Anti-Ocarinahero10 social group!

........--MM--TP--LoZ--AoL
OoT--ALttP--LA
.........--WW--PH--OoX--MC--FS--FSA

... Wait- What?! Er, truthfully, you were better off with the ocarinahero10 timeline...
Really, you give absolutely no evidence to prove that there is a third timeline other than the AT and CT, other than "why not?"
Really, just stick with the AT and CT, please. Please?

Did you read the whole thing?

Yeah. What part did I miss?
Are you trying to point out the "infact this is totally a theory" part or the "This is where some think I'm totally off, crazy, insane, high, (maybe not that)but why not? Is there anything to say there can't be a third branch? No. Not that I've heard from. Oppose me if you think not, but I'm just trying to prove that it is possible for there to be a third branch, and no AT or CT." part?

Is there anything to stop there being a third branch? Even if the AT and CT was true, there could still be a third branch.

There could, by that logic be more branches.

My timeline is now this:

OoT-MM-TP
------\tWW-PH
-------\LoZ-AoL
--------\OoX-LA
---------\aLttP-LA
----------\tMC-FS-FSA

Nothing SAYS there's NOT that many timelines. But then again nothing says there IS.

Yes, there could. But someone who thinks this needs proof. There is none in any game in the series thus far, so you're just making a third timeline for personal preference.
Really, I wish there was a confirmed third branch, as it would have the potential to ease a lot of conflict (as I see it does in your timeline) but since there is no evidence to prove it, it seems unlikely.
It actually all boils down to personal preference that completely ignores anything the producers say.

You said that twice. There may be no evidence supporting it, but nor is there evidence opposing it. It's neutral if you might say. And when there is neutral grounds you go ahead and take them.

i think MM possibly creates a 3rd branch
termina is destroyed on the 1st 3 days(link goes back therefore no longer exists here) this is a future where the hero of time doesnt exist at all and never really has
this creates a 3rd timeline where there really has never been a confirmed hero if OoT is the first

That's a possibility.

There was already a thread on that. And thanks for mentioning my name at the start of this thread.

Also:

........--MM--TP--LoZ--AoL
OoT--ALttP--LA
.........--WW--PH--OoX--MC--FS--FSA

There's nothing wrong with this timeline, but if your going to go with the rules, just move ALttP/LA over to one of the two timelines and you'll have a nice squeaky clean so-much-better-than-ocarinahero10's-timeline timeline.