Hyrule Historia Timeline - The Three Splits

Okay, in case you're confused about the split timeline in the Zelda timeline, I'm here to help.  One of the main features of Hyrule Historia is the timeline.  In H.H., they go in-depth about what happens between/durin the games in the timeline.  I won't be doing that.  I'll just be going over the split.  If you didn't know, there is a split in the timeline towards the beginning that happens in Ocarina of Time.  You can check out the entire timeline here.

You might want to zoom in.

Anyway, the games leading up to the split are:

1. Skyward Sword
2. Minish Cap
3. Four Swords
4. Ocarina of Time

The split occurs within/after Ocarina of time.  This is where we will start.

To break it up, there are three timelines after Ocarina:

• The Child Timeline
• The Adult Timeline
• The Downfall Timeline

We'll start with the Child Timeline.

This timeline is the one that Zelda sends Link back in time to after defeating Ganon, hence the name "Child Timeline" (he is a child).  Ganon is never defeated in this timeline, as he never rose to power.  Directly after this (with maybe a few months in between) is Majora's Mask.  Later comes Twilight Princess, then Four Swords Adventures.

Next is the Adult Timeline.

This is the timeline in which Link defeats Ganon, and then leaves this timeline.  It is virtually impossible for the other Links in this timeline to be directly related to Ocarina's Link, since he leaves this timeline.  (Unless Zelda is the mother/grandmother and Link is the father/grandfather, but this isn't true as they have already said that Wind Waker Link isn't related by blood.)  So, as I just said, Wind Waker comes next.  Phantom Hourglass is the direct sequel, and Spirit Tracks is 100 years later.

Finally, we have the Downfall Timeline, probably the most confusing and unforeseen of them all.

This timeline occurs IF Link fails to defeat Ganon.  This doesn't happen if you complete the game, though, so that's why it's pretty confusing.  Most people think Link dies fighting Ganon, but I like to think that he just never fights the battle in the first place.  Let me explain:

Link defeats Ganondorf, the human form.  Zelda and Link then struggle to escape the collapsing castle. When they reach the bottom, like they do in the game, Zelda sends Link back.  This time, she sends him back BEFORE Ganon (pig form) even springs up, since they thought he was dead.  After Link leaves, Ganon then conquers Hyrule, leading to A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages, Link's Awakening, The Legend of Zelda, and Adventure of Link.  This ALSO explains why Ganon is ALWAYS his pig-looking form in the games following this branch of Ocarina of Time.  In ALttP, Ganon is pig-form.  In Link's Awakening, one of the forms of the Nightmare is Ganon form, and this is pig-Ganon form.  In LoZ, Ganon is pig-form.  In AoL, while Ganon is never seen in person, he is in the game, as his followers (some enemies) are "sent to kill you".  Also, when you die, it says "RETURN OF GANON", with PIG-GANON'S SILHOUETTE IN THE BACKGROUND.

Amiright?  Makes sense to me.  Anyway, that's just my theory on the Downfall Timeline.

So, to conclude, those are the--

Wait, this isn't an English paper.  I don't need a conclusion.

Alright, bye.  I've got to go do homework now.  :'(

Seeya.  :D