Prologue

The forest was in darkness. The trees and plains were still and were not disturbed by the blowing winds. The ground's surface was veiled by a light mist, it was as if these woodlands were in a peaceful slumber and were never to be awakened by the sun's rays. And with the sleep came a feeling of emptiness. This forest seemed to have no sense of movement or flow.

And then there was a fairy.

The sudden presence of this forest sprite slightly lit up its surroundings with its glow. "So what are we doing here again, Tael?" its feminine voice fussed. "I doubt that we'll be able to find anything around here. We're far away from home!"

Another fairy, only with dark light, appeared beside the first. "I saw Skull Kid going into this forest earlier." Tael explained. His voice was calm. "He's been gone for a while, Tatl. We need to find him before something happens to him."

"Skull Kid came to this ugly place? I swear he gets into more trouble than I do! What could have gone through his head? Wait 'till I find him-"

"Shhh. I think I hear something."

Tael was right. There were distant sounds of rustling bushes and snapping twigs, and those sounds drew closer towards the two fairies quickly. Something was coming. Tatl and Tael then caught a glimpse of an unusual 'child'. It had no face, yet its red eyes and mouth, which looked somewhat like a beak, contrasted against the dark. And its ripped clothing looked more like straw. This creature was an example of what happens to children who wander, and lose their way after entering forest:

A Skull Kid.

Skull Kid was jumping happily and doing cartwheels around the plain. "I found one! I found one!" he said between giggles. "I finally found a mask!"

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Link's P.O.V

"Hyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaa!"

I thrusted my blade towards my opponent and both of our swords clashed. I could feel that my whole mouth was dry as I gasped for breath. Sweat was dripping down my cheeks. My eyes were locked on my opponent, who was the commander of the Hyrule Castle guards. Sir Bartel was his name. Of course, I was about half his height, and he was equipped with more armor than the regular palace guards.

I was slowly being pushed back as Bartel was forcing his sword against mine. My legs were starting to swell up from trying to withstand him. But then I was able to slightly push his blade back, and I swung my sword around as I rotated in a circular motion, performing a weak spin attack.

Bartel took a few steps back, and I charged at him with a horizontal swing. After my sword hit his risen shield, I jumped back. My heart was beating at a fast pace, and both Bartel and I were exhausted. I was expecting another attack from him, but instead he brought his sword into his sheath.

"That will be enough for today." Bartel said with a smile.

I put my weapon away and gave Bartel a small bow. I was still panting, so tried to relax and took deep breaths. Then I felt a little heavy and had an urge to sit down. This training with Bartel lasted about an hour, and I needed a break.

Bartel brought me a bucket of cold water and a towel, and I washed my face. It felt very nice.

"Say boy, I must say you've gotten pretty good. You're quite skilled as a swordsman for your age."

I nervously scratched the back of my head at Bartel's comments. "Well, I have you to thank, Sir Bartel. I've learned many things from you when we train like this."

"It was my pleasure. But, I suppose it's no surprise that you are a natural at this. Many castle guards are impressed and quite taken with you." Sir Bartel let out a soft chuckle. "So what is next for you, young lad?"

"I'm heading towards the forests in the east. I have an important errand to do."

"Ahh, I see. Then I wish you luck on this errand of yours, Link. I hope your travel to the forest will be productive."

"Thank you Bartel…I hope so too." With that, I excused myself from the commander and exited through the gates of the training grounds. I soon found myself lost in my thoughts as I walked along a hallway.

The forest was where I needed to go, where I needed to search for her. How long has it been, three months? More or less I suppose, when she left towards the first light of the sun, without saying goodbye... I need to find her.

Navi, guardian fairy of Kokiri Forest…and a dear friend.

Then I stopped.

I was in the castle gardens, and I immediately I saw a familiar face standing within short distance from me. Zelda took a step forward and smiled. "Link…" she said in a soft tone. I waited for her to finish, then I saw that tears were forming in her eyes. I wasn't sure of what to do at that point.

"Zelda…" I quietly said.

When the young princess finally realized that tears were streaming down her cheeks, she quickly wiped them away and she nodded her head. "Link, I'm just happy to see you, is all." She then said to me. "I've heard from the castle guards that you've been doing well with them. I'm glad for you."

Zelda look up to the sky, and I followed her gaze. There were no clouds- the sapphire heavens were beautiful. Its radiance sparkled on the water's surface against the palace walls, and the air's warmth touched the grass of the courtyard.

"Another gorgeous day…" I heard Zelda say. "Every day, I pray that days like this will last for as long as they can. It shows me that realizing a time of peace is a precious thing."

"We have gone through many things, haven't we?" I was referring to an adventure that I would never forget. It was destiny that chose the heroes of Hyrule. My fate was revealed when I first drew the blade of evil's bane. The Master Sword chose me to be the Hero of Time. I was to face a sinister man from the sand regions in the west- the king of evil who had once haunted my dreams.

Ganondorf's lust for power had turned him into a hellish monster, when he was consumed from the power he had obtained from the goddesses. My strengths, along with the seven sages, and been enough to seal him in the sacred realm, his eternal prison. And our fight to restore light upon Hyrule had been won.

I took out the object that was the key to call upon that destiny, the Ocarina of Time. Because of this, I can no longer look at things the way that I used to. It changed me, and I'm still not sure whether it was for better or for worse. I held it out for Zelda to take. She looked as if she was curious to why I was giving the ocarina back to her.

"It belongs here, with you." I told her.

I began to feel uneasy when Zelda stared at me for a moment, then she finally let me rest the Royal Family's ocarina in her hands. We stared at each other silently. Zelda had a straight face but more and more, to me her facial expression showed that she was slowly beginning to realize something. Then she said, "Something is on your mind, Link. Is anything wrong?"

"No…at least, not really…" I took a deep breath and sighed. My eyes narrowed to the ground. "I'm going…on a journey to the forest. I need to do something important…"

"What is it?" Zelda's voice sounded almost worryingly.

"I'm looking for a special friend of mine…the one who has helped me throughout my adventure some time ago…"

"Your fairy friend…" I finally faced Zelda. She didn't look at all surprised, but then it was her turn to look down. "And so, you are already leaving Hyrule for another journey…" I heard her whisper. She then quickly faced me again. "Oh, I'm sorry. It just feels as though…I've known you all my life. But know that it was only a short time ago that we met…"

I didn't say anything to her. Zelda look away and watched the water flowing. "You once told me that the forest can be a pathway to many places." I nodded to her, then Zelda turned back to look at me and held out the ocarina of time. "Then I wish for you to bring this ocarina with you. I want this journey of yours to be a safe one."

Zelda brought her ocarina to her chest. "Link…I am praying for you. I am certain that this fairy means a lot to you, and I have a feeling that the ocarina will be of use to you on your travels. This ocarina can serve you in unexpected ways, and it will protect you. Please take it with you."

I couldn't refuse her. "Thank you, Zelda." I said. When she gave me her ocarina, I saw her smile at me. But her eyes had a hint of sadness. I had to say something.

"I'll be fine. I'm sure that I'll find Navi, and I will return afterwards. You don't need to worry about me." I smiled to reassure her, which seemed to have worked. Zelda's graceful smile had made her own sadness disappear.

"…Please come back." She whispered.

I nodded. "I will."

He sat on a dry, molded tree trunk, with a heart-shaped mask in his hands. It was lined with a few cone-like prickles, and its eyes- along with the face's markings, brought an unusual feeling to it. The Skull Kid kept staring at it with fascinated eyes. "This mask looks pretty cool." He said. "What do you guys think?"

"I dunno, Skull Kid." Tatl answered. "It looks kind of weird. How did you get that mask again?"

"I found it."

"You found it, WHERE?" Tatl was getting somewhat impatient, then Tael motioned to her to calm her down.

"I just found it somewhere in the forest. Do you think people will like it if I wear it at the carnival?"

"…It's hard to say." Tael quietly spoke. He then flew closer to Skull Kid. "There's still lots of time before that day comes, Skull Kid. Do you want to try and look for another mask?"

Skull Kid gave the two fairies an angered look then brought the mask to him, as if he was hugging it tightly. "I like this mask!" he nearly shouted. "I don't want another one. This one suits me just fine!" he then got off of the tree trunk and looked to the mask again for a few minutes, before finally saying, "…let's go back to town."

His two fairy companions stayed behind him as he started to walk along the murky trails of the forest. One of the fairies turned to face the other. "What do you think that was all about?" Tatl asked. Tael didn't answer. He drifted off after the forest imp, and Tatl found herself following him soon after.

At that moment, Skull Kid couldn't help but be drawn by the new mask he had. It felt as though he was caught in an embrace by a strange force, as he held the mask in his hands. He stopped walking, making Tatl and Tael bump into him from behind. The child didn't seem to hear Tatl's shouts; he was more focused on the mask. Skull Kid's facial expression suddenly looked lifeless. He slowly brought the mask to his face. When there was contact, he collapsed on the ground.

There were suddenly harsh winds blowing, and both Tatl and Tael panicked when they flew to Skull Kid. Tatl was ramming the fallen imp, trying to wake him as Tael kept circling around him.

"Hey! HEY! SKULL KID WAKE UP! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!" Tatl cried. The next thing she knew, she was grabbed into Skull Kid's hand. The child of the dark forest regained his consciousness and slowly stood back up. When he let the fairy out of his grip, she distanced herself from him. Tael was still 'dancing' around him.

"Skull Kid, are you okay?" he asked gently. But he and Tatl froze when a heard a silent, but devious giggle coming from Skull Kid. Although his eyes were hidden behind the mask he wore, they seemed so mischievous. "Are you okay?" Tael repeated, this time more worryingly.

"…I'm just peachy…" Skull Kid's voice was almost wicked, neither fairies had time to flinch when he disappeared along with them into the obscurity of the forest…