My First Timeline Theory

[Aralith]

--------------[WW - PH] - [LoZ - AoL] - [OoX------
-------------/--------------------------------------\
[MC] - [OoT --------------------------------------- OoX - LA]
-------------\--------------------------------------/
--------------MM] - [TP] - [FS - FSA] - [ALttP - OoX

Okay, now give me a chance to explain why I have placed these games in the order I have, and to explain some of the more confusing aspects of the merge I have at the end.

Minish Cap - The biggest reason I believe that this is the first game in the timeline is because of the hat. The fact that the hero of men Gustaf had the green tunic but didn't have a cap, and neither did Link through the entirety of Minish Cap until the end when Ezlo gives it to him leads me to believe that this is the first game in the timeline. Because every other hero in all of the games has a green cap to go with the tunic. The only other place that MC could fit in my timeline is right after WW, and since WW already established that the reason for wearing green clothes is to celebrate the hero and they also include the cap, I find this highly unlikely. Also, another piece of anecdotal evidence that could corroborate this placement decision is the Skeletal Hero in TP. Since we all know that TP goes on the child timeline, how could Link of OoT possibly been considered a hero in Hyrule if he never fought Ganon? Unless there's something else pretty major that has never been made into a game and/or has never been provided as the back story in any game, there is no reason for Child Link to be a hero. Thus, I contend that the hero seen in TP is actually the hero from MC. Just a thought.

OoT - This one is kind of a giveaway. Just about every other timeline that even tries to be coherent has this preceding every other game, the exception being MC for the same reasons I stated above. Not much else to say. I don't think anyone is going to dispute this placement other than the fact that I placed it after MC.

ADULT TIMELINE

WW - We know that this has to be on the adult timeline because of the 2002 interview with Miyamoto and Aounuma.

PH - Again, I don't think anyone will dispute this placement. From both in-game evidence and statements from Miyamoto and Iwata, we know that this is a direct sequel to WW. Same Link and everything.

LoZ - The Koroks and the Deku Tree were trying to bring the land back together in WW and unless we were to place WW and PH absolutely last, they must have succeeded. I'll explain later why it's not possible why they are last, thus the Koroks and Deku Tree must have succeeded, resulting in the new land for LoZ to take place. I place this after WW (and on the adult timeline) for pretty much just one major reason. In OoT's adult ending, Ganondorf (and presumably his alter-ego Ganon as well) are imprisoned in the Sacred Realm. In the child ending, Ganon is sentenced to death and then imprisoned in the Twilight Realm. However, in TP (child timeline), Link defeats both Ganon AND Ganondorf. In WW (adult timeline), only Ganondorf is defeated. Since LoZ has Ganon, but completely fails to mention Ganondorf, I cannot help but feel that this is an important detail in deciding where to place it. That was my critera for the decision of this placement.

AoL - Pretty straightforward. The AoL manual specifically mentions the recent defeat of Ganon, so one can only assume that this is the same Link from LoZ, thus making it a direct sequel.

OoX - Okay, I admit that I don't know for sure which Oracle game goes where, but I am convinced that the Oracle games take place on both timelines, and are the cause of the merge I have, thus necessitating them to be placed last on the split timelines. I will elaborate more on the Oracle games after I explain my placement of the Child Timeline games so it will make more sense.

CHILD TIMELINE

MM - Shouldn't be any disputes here. Pretty regular part of timelines. It directly follows OoT. If you've ever even seen the game played, you'll know what I'm talking about. Same Link from OoT.

TP - Again, another no brainer, thanks to statements from the creators. Plus several pieces of in-game evidence like Ganondorf acquiring the ToP. He wouldn't have had it automatically after the child ending of OoT (opposed to the adult ending where he most definitely still had it). At the end, Link defeats both Ganon AND Ganondorf, and the ToP disappears from his hand. It's assumed that he has lost it. Man, gaining it and losing it in the same game. Sucks to be Ganondorf in TP. However, it is of important note that his body does not go limp when he "dies" and he remains standing, perhaps hinting at the possibility that he is still alive.

FS - Now that Ganondorf is dead, it would seem that Hyrule (at least this one) is finally free from destruction. But no, Vaati is released from the Four Sword (after he was imprisoned in it in MC), to wreak havoc on Hyrule. Not much to say here about the placement, but it will make far more sense in a minute when I explain FSA.

FSA - Same Link from FS. After Vaati is again imprisoned in the Four Sword from FS, he wakes up again. The seal weakens, he escapes, blah blah. Not important to this timeline theory. What is important is the presence of Ganon. He makes his return after being seemingly killed in TP. Of most importance here is that he steals the Trident, a weapon that will reappear in both ALttP and OoX. Thus, it is a requirement that FS and FSA come before both of those games, and that they all be on the same timeline, which is very much the reason that ALttP is in the child timeline rather than the adult timeline, as I have seen in most timelines posted on this site by other users (or rather, most timelines that make sense). Why FS and FSA are in the child timeline is because of hints in TP. In FSA, you acquire a Dark Mirror. During the course of the game, this Dark Mirror is revealed to have been used to seal a dark tribe. I contend that this Dark Mirror is the same as the Mirror of Twilight (although possibly in different form). Now, I know that the Mirror of Twilight was destroyed in TP, but based on statements from Midna about seeing Link another time, it is quite possible that another one was constructed, or that multiple mirrors exist. After all, if only the true ruler of the Twilight was able to destroy the Mirror, how come the ruler of the Dark Interlopers mentioned in the backstory of TP, who had the same magic as Midna, didn't destroy it? Makes me think that either multiple mirrors existed or the Sages were able to construct one of their own to imprison the Interlopers in the Twilight Realm. That's about all from this game that is actually important to my theory.

ALttP - As I said before, the Trident is the main reason that I placed this game on the child timeline. Another pretty large reason is that this game also contains a Magic Mirror. It allows you to travel between realms, very much as the Mirror of Twilight from TP did. So, two things. The Trident connects ALttP to FSA. And the Mirrors connect TP, FSA, and ALttP and binds them all to the same timeline. Since we know beyond doubt that TP is on the child timeline, not many places for FS, FSA, and ALttP to go but the child timeline.

OoX - Here's where things get tricky. At the end of AoL, we know that the Triforce was brought back together, because that's how you woke Princess Zelda up. The Triforce is also completed at the end of ALttP. Which explains how Link is able to find it complete when he walks into Hyrule Castle in the Oracle games on both timelines. Now, here's my reasoning behind OoX happening on both timelines.

First off, we already know that there are worlds parallel to Hyrule. Granted, Termina is the only one we've seen that isn't consumed by darkness, but hey, that's at least one example. So, I would contend that Labrynna and Holodrum are both either parallel worlds to Hyrule, or are actually different kingdoms in the same world. I tend to believe the latter, as it fits in better with my theory. Somehow when the two Hyrules were created (child and adult OoT ending Hyrules) the worlds that existed adjacent to them became different. What I mean is that Labrynna and Holodrum are in fact the same place, just in different worlds. Since the two Hyrules are parallel to each other and share many similarities, Labrynna and Holdrum are other kingdoms within these worlds, but each exists in a different Hyrule, so they are also parallel worlds of each other. That fits nicely with split timelines.

The other major reason I believe OoX happened on both timelines actually has more to do with the gamplay of the Oracles, rather than the story. For those who don't know, you play through, in my example, Oracle of Seasons, though in actuality it can also be Ages which will add to my point here in a second once I actually make my point. Anyways, play all the way through OoS, which is set in Holodrum and beat Onox. Then, at the end, you are given a password. Now, let's say you start up Oracle of Ages, and they give you the option to input a password. When you input the password you received after beating OoS, you begin a linked game. Now, you play all the way through OoA and beat Veran. But then, lo and behold, that is not the end of the game. See, both games have the data for this new ending, but depending on which you play first, you will only see it on one of the games. This new ending features Koume and Kotake, or Twinrova, trying to revive Ganon using Princess Zelda. The fact that Zelda is even in Labrynna or Holodrum seems to just add to my theory that these lands border Hyrule, rather than exist parallel to them. Anyways, I haven't examined these games close enough to determine which goes on which timeline, if there even is an answer, or which Hyrule Princess Zelda comes from, the point is, Ganon gets reborn, Trident and all, but because Twinrova sacrificed themselves instead of Zelda (extraneous circumstances caused by Link forced them to change their plans), Ganon is just a mindless beast. You beat him and the games are over.

Here's the thing though. It doesn't matter what order you play the two games in, you still end up with the same ending. Also, when you begin each game, even with the linked password dealy-ma-bob, you still start the second game with nothing. None of your items you collected in the previous ones. I therefore contend that each game takes place on a different timeline and is completed by a different Link. However, because the ending is the same in both, the timeline has to merge. It is the only explanation, short of astronomical chance, as to how each Link's quest could have resulted in the exact same ending. Also, the fact that both games have to be completed before Ganon is reborn adds to this. If Link in child timeline had only complete, let's say, OoA, then he would have only completed half the quest, and the episode with Ganon being reborn would never have occured. Thus, each Link quests individually, and when they emerge victorious, the time lines merge, and both Links become one, just as all other characters that have counterparts (Zelda, for instance) become one.

Now, I know that the biggest point against this merge theory is that the people that began the whole Oracle series are none other than Koume and Kotake. Most would argue that because they died in the adult ending of OoT, that they couldn't possibly be alive to start the other half of OoX on the adult timeline. This is normally why OoX gets lumped together on the child timeline. However, I have a different answer. Throughout many of the games, Link is able to travel to worlds that are parallel to Hyrule. Now, I know that the case can be made that Dark and Twilight Realms in ALttP and TP respectively can be called alternate realities, rather than parallel ones. But, what of Termina? It is specifically mentioned that that is a world parallel to Hyrule. Thus, if Link can travel to it completely on accident, as is the case in MM, why couldn't Koume and Kotake, with all of their magic, purposely cross the void between timelines to begin the events in the adult timeline? If you wish to dispute this I have this to say to you. The OoX games make it fairly obvious that Holodrum and Labrynna are parallel worlds. Many characters appear in both, just as many characters from OoT Hyrule appear in MM. So, in your own theory, Twinrova must cross these boundaries to begin events in both worlds. I'm just contending that they crossed the boundary between both Hyrules, rather than the boundary between Labrynna and Holodrum as you purport.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I consider the OoX Link (and the LA one as I will explain below) to be the same Link from ALttP. The reason being that in the GBA port of ALttP, it wasn't a direct port. A couple of key sprites had some minute differences that I can't help but think was purposeful to connect it to OoX. The most notable of those being, Link's sprite (and art in the walkthrough) was slightly changed to resemble that of OoX Link. Also, the Potion's shop woman was altered to make her look very much like Maple from OoX. It may mean nothing, but it seems so minute a detail that if it really didn't matter, would Nintendo have actually changed it?

LA - And finally, this timeline comes to a close with Link's Awakening. In the linked game ending of OoX, we see Link leaving whichever land he's in by way of a sailboat. Normally, this would be a very minute detail, but as stated similarly above, the fact that it is so minute makes me question as to why Nintendo would even include it. I believe that is is a purposeful connection to LA, in which the game begins on a sailboat. Not much else to say about LA since I'm considering it the last in this timeline. It's not exactly like I have to connect the ending to anything else.

In closing, I think that this is a rather workable timeline supported by a great deal of evidence. If you have any questions or need any clarification please don't hesitate to ask. And certainly don't hesitate to criticize. If I have something wrong, or have misinterpreted some piece of evidence, please tell me so that I can make it right.

[Erimgard]

Minish Cap - The biggest reason I believe that this is the first game in the timeline is because of the hat. The fact that the hero of men Gustaf had the green tunic but didn't have a cap, and neither did Link through the entirety of Minish Cap until the end when Ezlo gives it to him leads me to believe that this is the first game in the timeline.[/quote]
:[
A hat is a very poor reason for timeline placement in my mind.
Also, Gustaf is not the Hero of Men. Gametrailers made that up.

The only other place that MC could fit in my timeline is right after WW, and since WW already established that the reason for wearing green clothes is to celebrate the hero and they also include the cap, I find this highly unlikely.

WW Link had to dress like OoT Link.
But what about after that? Why should other Links wear a hat?

Also, another piece of anecdotal evidence that could corroborate this placement decision is the Skeletal Hero in TP. Since we all know that TP goes on the child timeline, how could Link of OoT possibly been considered a hero in Hyrule if he never fought Ganon?

Majora's Mask tells us that the Royal Family passed down his legends.
He was still renowned as a hero.

LoZ - The Koroks and the Deku Tree were trying to bring the land back together in WW and unless we were to place WW and PH absolutely last, they must have succeeded. I'll explain later why it's not possible why they are last, thus the Koroks and Deku Tree must have succeeded, resulting in the new land for LoZ to take place. I place this after WW (and on the adult timeline) for pretty much just one major reason. In OoT's adult ending, Ganondorf (and presumably his alter-ego Ganon as well) are imprisoned in the Sacred Realm. In the child ending, Ganon is sentenced to death and then imprisoned in the Twilight Realm. However, in TP (child timeline), Link defeats both Ganon AND Ganondorf. In WW (adult timeline), only Ganondorf is defeated. Since LoZ has Ganon, but completely fails to mention Ganondorf, I cannot help but feel that this is an important detail in deciding where to place it. That was my critera for the decision of this placement.

I believe something similar.

OoX - Okay, I admit that I don't know for sure which Oracle game goes where, but I am convinced that the Oracle games take place on both timelines, and are the cause of the merge I have, thus necessitating them to be placed last on the split timelines. I will elaborate more on the Oracle games after I explain my placement of the Child Timeline games so it will make more sense.

The Oracles cannot be on separate timelines.
Have some bitterlime copy pasta:

Originally Posted by bitterlime

1. There is a familiy in Holodrum (Labrynna) that moves to Labrynna (Holodrum) after you beat the game. They leave a shield that they have moved to Labrynna (Holodrum)
This same family recognizes Link in the linked game.
I doubt that normal people can travel trough dimensions...

2. The story of the skull pirates proves that Labrynna and Holodrum are connected by sea ways. Again we meet those characters in both games. The captain recognizes Link, on their second meeting.

3. The mayors of Lyna city and the village in holodrum know each other!

4. There are up to nine characters in OoA(OoS) that give Link a secret that he can tell another person in OoS(OoS).

So unless their is a giant dimensional vortex lying around somewere, were everyone can just hop into and travel trough dimensions...nope I highly doubt it.

In FSA, you acquire a Dark Mirror. During the course of the game, this Dark Mirror is revealed to have been used to seal a dark tribe. I contend that this Dark Mirror is the same as the Mirror of Twilight (although possibly in different form). Now, I know that the Mirror of Twilight was destroyed in TP, but based on statements from Midna about seeing Link another time, it is quite possible that another one was constructed, or that multiple mirrors exist. After all, if only the true ruler of the Twilight was able to destroy the Mirror, how come the ruler of the Dark Interlopers mentioned in the backstory of TP, who had the same magic as Midna, didn't destroy it? Makes me think that either multiple mirrors existed or the Sages were able to construct one of their own to imprison the Interlopers in the Twilight Realm. That's about all from this game that is actually important to my theory.

If anything, the similar mirrors are proof of opposite timelines.
Why make two games with virtually the same scenario [Dark Mirror/tribe, Ganon spreading darkness, Ganon using a pawn to divert attention] on the same timeline?
Also, it's a very very big assumption to say that the Twilight Mirror was repaired or that there were more than one. I think TP makes it clear that the Twilight Mirror is done for after TP.

ALttP - As I said before, the Trident is the main reason that I placed this game on the child timeline. Another pretty large reason is that this game also contains a Magic Mirror. It allows you to travel between realms, very much as the Mirror of Twilight from TP did. So, two things. The Trident connects ALttP to FSA. And the Mirrors connect TP, FSA, and ALttP and binds them all to the same timeline. Since we know beyond doubt that TP is on the child timeline, not many places for FS, FSA, and ALttP to go but the child timeline.

The Twilight Mirror takes you into the Twilight Realm
The Magic Mirror takes you out of the Sacred Realm
I believe very highly that they are not the same mirror.

OoX - Here's where things get tricky. At the end of AoL, we know that the Triforce was brought back together, because that's how you woke Princess Zelda up. The Triforce is also completed at the end of ALttP. Which explains how Link is able to find it complete when he walks into Hyrule Castle in the Oracle games on both timelines. Now, here's my reasoning behind OoX happening on both timelines.

First off, we already know that there are worlds parallel to Hyrule. Granted, Termina is the only one we've seen that isn't consumed by darkness, but hey, that's at least one example. So, I would contend that Labrynna and Holodrum are both either parallel worlds to Hyrule, or are actually different kingdoms in the same world. I tend to believe the latter, as it fits in better with my theory. Somehow when the two Hyrules were created (child and adult OoT ending Hyrules) the worlds that existed adjacent to them became different. What I mean is that Labrynna and Holodrum are in fact the same place, just in different worlds. Since the two Hyrules are parallel to each other and share many similarities, Labrynna and Holdrum are other kingdoms within these worlds, but each exists in a different Hyrule, so they are also parallel worlds of each other. That fits nicely with split timelines.

The other major reason I believe OoX happened on both timelines actually has more to do with the gamplay of the Oracles, rather than the story. For those who don't know, you play through, in my example, Oracle of Seasons, though in actuality it can also be Ages which will add to my point here in a second once I actually make my point. Anyways, play all the way through OoS, which is set in Holodrum and beat Onox. Then, at the end, you are given a password. Now, let's say you start up Oracle of Ages, and they give you the option to input a password. When you input the password you received after beating OoS, you begin a linked game. Now, you play all the way through OoA and beat Veran. But then, lo and behold, that is not the end of the game. See, both games have the data for this new ending, but depending on which you play first, you will only see it on one of the games. This new ending features Koume and Kotake, or Twinrova, trying to revive Ganon using Princess Zelda. The fact that Zelda is even in Labrynna or Holodrum seems to just add to my theory that these lands border Hyrule, rather than exist parallel to them. Anyways, I haven't examined these games close enough to determine which goes on which timeline, if there even is an answer, or which Hyrule Princess Zelda comes from, the point is, Ganon gets reborn, Trident and all, but because Twinrova sacrificed themselves instead of Zelda (extraneous circumstances caused by Link forced them to change their plans), Ganon is just a mindless beast. You beat him and the games are over.

Here's the thing though. It doesn't matter what order you play the two games in, you still end up with the same ending. Also, when you begin each game, even with the linked password dealy-ma-bob, you still start the second game with nothing. None of your items you collected in the previous ones. I therefore contend that each game takes place on a different timeline and is completed by a different Link. However, because the ending is the same in both, the timeline has to merge. It is the only explanation, short of astronomical chance, as to how each Link's quest could have resulted in the exact same ending. Also, the fact that both games have to be completed before Ganon is reborn adds to this. If Link in child timeline had only complete, let's say, OoA, then he would have only completed half the quest, and the episode with Ganon being reborn would never have occured. Thus, each Link quests individually, and when they emerge victorious, the time lines merge, and both Links become one, just as all other characters that have counterparts (Zelda, for instance) become one.

See previous copy pasta from bitterlime

And also, how do you explain the Seal that exist in aLttP, and what is the Imprisoning/Seal War spoken of in the game?