Summary: Four years ago, Link defeated Majora's Mask, ultimately destroying the evil within it. Or so he thought. Now Majora has escaped from the mask, and is out for revenge on the Three Goddesses who originally sealed her away. She frees Ganondorf and Vaati from their seals, and the trio begin to wreak havoc on Hyrule. With the Master Sword destroyed, the six Sages dead, and Link and Zelda forced into hiding for their own safety, Hyrule's only hope lies in the hands of six teenage girls, the daughters of the deceased Sages. But these girls were raised on Earth, where they would be safe from harm until old enough to accept the task of becoming the next Sages. They know little of Hyrule or their own powers. With the young daughter of a Great Fairy to guide them, these girls embark on a mission to utilize their hidden powers and save Hyrule.
Pairings include: LinkxOC, ZeldaxOC, Zelink, among others

A/n: Okay, here is the first chapter! I'll try to update at least once a week. Enjoy!

Chapter I: Breaking of the Seals

Sukota, or the Happy Mask Salesman as he was known to most, gingerly carried his most precious item in his hands, an eerily tender smile on his face, though the narrowness of his beady eyes resulted in it appearing as more of a malicious grin. At last, ah at long last his beloved had returned to him, and soon she would be free, and they would finally be together. He stepped into the dark tunnel, and when he entered, the tall dark trees of Hyrule's Lost Woods surrounded him. Four years had passed since that fateful day, and as she had instructed, he had brought her here on the designated day. Now he need only wait until she awoke.

Majora slept deep within the mask carried in Sukota's hands. Her spirit was still as death, for sometimes death she thought she had met, so painful had the breaking of the three Seals been. Knives had ripped through her soul with each swing of the young boy's blade, and even now the wounds still burned, quietly, until something stirred within her. It was a memory: the memory of why her soul had always burned, and now she began to awaken, her consciousness slowly growing more aware, and she knew that they had won. Her plan had succeeded. The foolish little Hero, so lovingly handpicked by the Three Goddesses, might think he had won the battle. He might believe he had done his duty, destroyed the evil inhabiting the cursed mask, her prison, but he was wrong. And now, finally, she would be free once more, and she would have her revenge on the Three Goddesses.

"Sukota," a high-pitched voice hissed from the mask.

His ears pricked, and he looked down at her, a sense of joy beginning to well up in his heart. "My precious Majora, you are at last awake."

"I am," came the reply. "Now release me. I must break the final remnants of this accursed Seal."

"Are you sure you're strong enough? Have you fully recovered your strength?"

"I am strong enough. My hatred will give me strength, as it always has. Now let me go."

He released his grip and the mask flew into the air and hovered there for a moment. Majora's began to gather her power, preparing for the final blow which would release her. Sukota watched as dark swirls of light began to surround the mask, and the treetops began to sway, though no breeze stirred their leaves in these dead depths of the forest. A burst of thick, black and purple light shot out, the air tingled with a dark power, and then she stood there, in all the glory of her true form.

Purple and green strands of Majora's hair swayed in the wind created by her power, calming as she opened her eyes, so unaccustomed to seeing that her vision was blurred for a long moment, and her hair came to rest at her waist, framing her thin, elegant body. Her pale skin was marked with black swirling scars, the result of many battles of magic, but they only seemed to add to her beauty, and Sukota found himself breathless at the sight of her. She was even more wonderful than he had imagined, and his heart raced with thrilled excitement.

Majora blinked softly until her vision cleared, and she saw for the first time in hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years, something other than infinite blackness of her former prison. A thin smile crept its way across her lips as she took in the shadowy greenness of the forest, the bare blue-gray of the sky peeking through the thick treetops. Here was the world she would destroy. She turned to Sukota at last. He was as she had thought he would be: too thin, too pale, his eyes tainted by the dark power she had been feeding him, unbeknownst to Sukota himself, ever since he found her several months ago. His back was hunched over with the pack of masks upon his back, and his hands wrung together eagerly as he gaped at her.

"Come," she said. "There is work to be done."

~*~

Link strode into the rowdy bar, and seated himself at the counter, eager for a break after finishing yet another job. Calls of familiarity reached his ears, and he grinned to himself with ill-disguised pride, straightening his shoulders and puffing out his chest ever so slightly. He'd quickly grown accustomed to the recent admiration he received for all of his hard work, though truthfully, he would have done it regardless. Raatha, the pretty young woman who tended the bar, moved towards him.

"Hey kid, out playing again?" she asked.

Link frowned, and determined to set her view straight, replied with, "I'll just have an ale today," and threw some rupees on the countertop.

"Uh huh, very funny. What are you really having?"

"Come on, Raatha, I'm just as entitled to drink what I want as anyone else in here," Link cried.

Raatha just smiled at him amusedly. "Sorry, kiddo, you know I don't allow underage drinking in here. Try again in two years and you can have your pick, but for now, choose something else."

Link sighed, but knew there was no point in arguing; she wouldn't give in. "Fine, I'll just take a water then," he said, leaning his elbow on the counter to rest his head on his hand in a pout.

Raatha chuckled, bright eyes twinkling, and went to take the orders of the three men who had just sat at the counter a few seats down from Link. Something clapped Link hard on the back, knocking him forward, and he looked up angrily, only to find Alton sliding into the seat beside him, and relaxed again.

Alton was about five or six years older than Link, a tall, handsome young man with cropped brown hair and a dark tan. He had been Link's companion since the latter had first entered the bar, and was, like Link, a mercenary, which anyone could tell by the sword and dagger slung around his waist on a leather belt.

"Is Raatha giving you trouble again?" Alton asked.

Link snorted. "When is she not giving me trouble? She always treats me like such a kid."

Alton laughed and gave him another clap on the back. "Don't worry. She just thinks of you as a little brother, so she's probably stricter with you than anyone else."

"That makes me feel better," Link said sarcastically, which earned another laugh from his friend.

"Don't worry," Alton whispered, "I'll sneak you something."

Raatha returned to where Link and Alton were sitting, a mug of water in her hand. A scowl crossed her face when her eyes landed on Alton. "What are you doing here?" she asked, not taking her eyes off Alton as she slid Link his drink.

Alton leaned his elbow on the table. "What kind of a greeting is that?"

"Here we go again," Link muttered under his breath.

"The only kind you deserve," she said. "You aren't being a bad influence on Link here, are you?"

He laughed. "What kind of a guy do you take me for?"

She gave him a dangerous look. "The kind who offers kids alcohol, even if they're under age. Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

Alton grinned with false innocence, and she rolled her eyes. "Hey, you gonna take my order or what?"

"No," Raatha said shortly. She turned to Link. "Can I get you anything else, kiddo?"

"You can stop calling me that," Link offered.

"Sorry, can't do that kiddo," she said with a wink and started to turn away.

"Hey, Raatha, come on!" Alton called after her. She pretended not to hear him and went to work cleaning some glasses. Alton frowned. "She just loves doing this to us, huh Link?"

"He just say your name's Link?" a voice cried.

Link and Alton turned to see the three men who had come in a little earlier standing up and walking towards them. The one leading them, a tall, middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of Hyrule Castle's guards, flopped on the seat beside Link. "You're the one called Link?" he repeated.

"That's right," Link said. "Anything I can do for you?"

"Well, for one thing, you can tell me what's up with all these rumors floating around about you. There's no way a young kid like you can possibly be as great of a swordsman as people claim."

"Who's to say?" Alton cut in before Link could reply, looking a little angry.

"Me, that's who. I trained my ass off twelve years before I was finally accepted as a guard at Hyrule Castle," the man said. "This boy's barely big enough to pick up a sword. It can't possibly be true that a kid like this really killed a thousand monsters on his own."

"And why not?" Alton asked. "Just because you have no talent with the sword doesn't mean he can't." The man stood up angrily, preparing to advance on Alton, who also stood, hand on his sword hilt.

"Alton, that's enough," Raatha called, coming over to them with a stern look on her face. She turned to the guard. "Sir, please calm down. I don't need any trouble in here."

The man cast a dirty look at Alton, but turned his attention back to Link. "Listen boy, either you tell everyone in here those rumors aren't true, or you fight me, and I'll force you to admit it."

"I don't have anything to admit to," Link said quietly.

"What do you mean, nothing, you lying little brat?" the man demanded, reaching for his sword.

"Sir!" Raatha cried. "If you're going to cause trouble, then leave, now. I won't stand for this behavior in my bar."

The man turned on her, grabbing her shirt and dragging her towards him forcefully. "Listen, lady," he said, "I'll do whatever I want, and if you don't shut your mouth, I'll make sure this place is shut down."

Suddenly, the man felt something cold pressed against his throat, and looking down, saw Link standing, sword drawn and pressed against the man's throat. "Let her go," Link said in a low, angry voice. "If you want to fight me, fine, but we'll do it outside and involve no one else."

The man released Raatha, and Link pulled his sword away. "That's more like it, boy."

"You too, Raatha," Link said, sheathing his sword. "I'll handle him."

Raatha grinned, and pulled away the knife she had pressed against the man's stomach in preparation to stab him if he tried anything. "You're too easy on him, Link," she said. "Pigheads like this aren't worth your trouble."

"Gotta agree with her on this one," Alton said, nodding, to some murmurs from the other people in the bar who had all been watching the scene with avid anticipation.

"It's no trouble at all," Link replied. He winked. "Ten seconds is all it'll take."

The guard glared at him, but held his tongue and followed as Link walked out of the bar. Many of the people stood up to follow them as well, including Raatha and Alton. Once outside, Link and the man walked around to the back where they were out of the way of any passersby. They turned to face each other, surrounded by the crowd of watchers.

"Ready?" Link asked, drawing his sword. For a split second, the Triforce on the back of his left hand glinted as he gripped the hilt of his sword, making the man pause.

Of the rumors he had heard of the mercenary Link, one of them had been most unbelievable—that Link was in fact a boy blessed with the power of the goddesses. He had known immediately that it couldn't possibly be true, but for just a split second, he was sure he'd seen the Triforce glowing on the back of the boy's hand. He shook his head and drew his own sword. No way was he going to be phased by this annoying brat.

"Whenever you are," he replied.

The two nodded, and then without warning, the man flung himself at Link, sword raised to strike. Link smiled. It was too easy. Right when the man was almost upon him, he rolled beneath him, standing up quickly before his opponent could regain his balance. Link rushed at the man, and landed a well-aimed kick on his right arm, sending the man's sword flying. He pointed his blade at the man's chest, grinning victoriously. Excited cheers erupted from the crowd.

"I win," he said, returning his sword to its sheath once again.

The man snarled at him, and angrily grabbed his own sword off the ground. "You got lucky, brat," he spat. "Don't think I'll ever acknowledge you."

"Stop being a baby and admit you lost," Alton said.

The man glared at him, but instead of saying anything, turned his back on the group and stomped off, angrily resisting his companions' attempts to comfort him. Raatha came up to Link, laughing. "You did it again, Link," she said. "I just wish you'd let go of your honor every once and awhile and really teach em' a lesson."

"Well, that's Link, for you," Alton said. "Always playing the heroic goody-goody."

Link glared at his friend. "Can you two ever talk about me while I'm not standing right here?"

Alton and Raatha chuckled, and the three began to follow the dispersing crowd back to the bar's entrance. "Sorry, Link. We just can't help but tease you," Alton said.

The sound of hoof beats on the cobblestone grabbed their attention, and the three looked up to see one of the castle's guards galloping towards them from the direction of Hyrule Castle. "Sir Link!" the guard cried, coming to a stop in front of them.

"Yes?" Link asked, wondering what was up this time.

"Her Highness, Princess Zelda has sent for you. She says it is urgent."

Link groaned inwardly. Now what did she want him for? He turned to Raatha and Alton. "Sorry, guys, I'll catch up with you later."

Alton grinned. "Popular today, aren't ya'? Alright, we'll see you around."

Link waved, and turned back to the guard. "Tell her I'll be there as soon as possible." The guard nodded and, his job complete, galloped back towards the castle.

With a sigh, Link started in the same direction, straightening out his green tunic as he went and trying to brush off some of the dust from his recent battle. Zelda was always calling him when he was in no sort of state to be entering a castle. Not that it really mattered to him, but then she would complain, teasingly of course, that he was always so dirty. Not only that, but in the past four years, Zelda rarely sent for Link unless she had some silly errand for him to run. He almost wished something really bad actually would happen for once. Peace was nice, but it meant he had nothing to do. Although his job as a mercenary did pass the time, he rarely found any of the tasks actually challenging.

Coming out of his thoughts, Link realized he was already reaching the gate blocking the path which led to Hyrule Castle. As always, a guard stood beside it, spear in hand. He turned his head when Link approached, and said, "Do you have business at the Castle?"

"My name is Link," Link said, wondering why he had to go through this every time. "Princess Zelda sent for me." To prove his connection with the Princess before the guard could ask, Link pulled the Ocarina of Time out of his pocket, holding it up so the guard could see the Triforce mark on the mouthpiece.

The guard nodded his understanding, and with a pounding of the spear's butt on the ground, the gate slowly slid open, allowing Link to pass. He continued down the path, passing several more guards on the way, until he finally reached the drawbridge to Hyrule Castle's entrance. Repeating the process with the two guards flanking the drawbridge, he was at last allowed inside. Immediately upon entering, Link was met by Zelda, who was pacing along the deep blue strip of carpet impatiently. She was dressed in her normal attire—ornate white and pink dress embroidered with the Triforce, her long blond hair flowing loose over her shoulders.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and was relieved to see the Hero of Time entering the castle. "Link!" she cried, running up to him.

When he heard her speak and saw the look on her face, all of Link's former annoyance immediately dissipated. Something was very wrong. "Zelda, what's the matter?" he asked, voice filled with concern.

"Link, you must go to the Temple of Time immediately," the fourteen year old princess said urgently. "Once again, my dreams have been plagued by terrible nightmares, and I fear this time they are predictions to something far worse than when we first faced Ganondorf."

Worse than Ganondorf? Link found that a little hard to believe, but Zelda seemed desperately convinced of it, and that was definitely not good. "What do you mean? What dreams?"

"I don't have time to explain now. My father does not believe me, as always, but you must, Link! Please, hurry to the Temple of Time and draw the Sword of Evil's Bane once again! I fear our time is very short."

Link nodded. "I understand," he said. "I will go right away."

"Hurry, Link," Zelda said.

He nodded again, and turned to run back out of the castle. Zelda watched him leave with a terrible fear in her heart, praying that he would not be too late. Link dashed over the drawbridge and down the path. Zelda hadn't had premonitions since he first met her five years ago, before he embarked on his journey to defeat the King of Evil, Ganondorf. Now it was happening again, and he had never seen her so upset. He ran as quickly as possible through Castletown, dodging people crowding the streets, and hurried up the steps leading to the Temple of Time.

He slowed down as he entered the small courtyard just outside of the Temple, letting the strangely nostalgic feeling as he gazed up at its tall stone walls. He had also not entered this place since the day he had finally returned the Master Sword to its pedestal for good, or so he had thought. Link walked through the tall doorway, and familiar white walls surrounded him. A pedestal stood on the far side of the room, three slots and words inscribed in the dark stone. His footsteps echoed as he crossed to the pedestal. He was about halfway there when suddenly there was a loud noise, like a clap of thunder, and the ground beneath him shook violently, nearly knocking him off his feet.

Link waited for the rumbling to subside and he could regain his balance, then ran to the pedestal, fishing in the pouch at his side as he went and pulling out three jewels, the Spiritual Stones of Forest, Fire, and Water. Upon Zelda's suggestion and his own sense of caution, he always carried them with him, just in case, and now he was glad of it. Quickly, he set the jewels in their proper places and pulled his ocarina out, playing the Song of Time. The familiar, strange feeling, like something pulling and pushing him at the same time, came over him as the song's notes seemed to echo throughout the room, and then the stone door which seemed at first just a wall began to open up.

He ran through the door, and saw something that made his heart stop. The Master Sword was gone, and a long, deep crack ran through the pedestal it had rested in. He stepped forward cautiously, eyes searching the room for whatever might still be lurking, but there the room was empty except for him. He bent down in front of the pedestal, running his fingers over the smooth stone. What could have caused this?

A deep throated laughter seemed to shake the room, a laughter which Link had thought he would never hear again. He jumped up, sword drawn before he was even on his feet, ready for anything, but his heart was pounding in his chest. This shouldn't be happening. His work as the Hero of Time was supposed to be finished.

~*~

Zelda felt the earthquake shake Hyrule not ten minutes after Link had left, and knew immediately that she was too late. Her heart beat fearfully for Link's fate, but for now there were more important things to attend to. She hastily made her way through the castle corridors, until she reached the carefully hidden door leading to the sanctuary of the Four Sword. She hoped the guards had hurried with their messages, and the six Sages would arrive soon. The second part of her dream had come true, and she knew now that there truly was very little time.

Her pacing began again as she awaited the arrival of the ones who would help her strengthen the seal on the Four Sword, until at last she could bear it no longer. Pushing the secret door open, she went inside the dark corridor. She had barely entered the corridor, squinting in the almost pitch blackness, when a loud explosion sounded and a blast of wind knocked her several feet backwards, out of the corridor and back into the well lit hallway.

She sat up, rubbing the sore spot where her back had skidded painfully along the ground, and saw a figure emerging from the dust which had erupted in the explosion. The figure stepped into the light where she could see him clearly, and her eyes widened in horror.

None other than Vaati the Wind Mage stood before her, the evil demon which had been sealed in the Four Sword so long ago. He towered over her, despite his slight stature, deep purple cape billowing in the wind and red eyes glaring at her with a smirk on his face.

"Hello, Princess Zelda," he said, stepping towards her.

~*~

The laughter seemed to echo around Link endlessly, making his heart pound harder with every second. He gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, though he knew without a doubt that nothing less than the Master Sword could hope to defeat Ganondorf.

"Are you looking for this?" the familiar voice asked, seeming to come from all around him. Link looked around again, but still he remained the sole being in the Temple. His eyes rose above him just in time to see a black portal opening in the ceiling, and an object dropped out of it, clattering on the floor.

Cautiously, he stepped towards it, until he saw what it was. It was the hilt of the Master Sword; a single, ragged piece of its blade still remained. He picked it up gingerly, and held it up, hardly daring to believe what his eyes saw. The all-powerful Sword of Evil's Bane…

Laughter echoed again, reminding Link of the evil presence watching him. "I have destroyed the one object with which you might have hoped to defeat me again. Now I will destroy the six Sages, and then I will return for you and Princess Zelda." The echoing laughter resounded again, and finally subsided into eerie silence.

Link knew his face was white as he clutched the forlorn hilt in his hand. He had to hurry back to Princess Zelda. The Master Sword was gone. The six Sages were in danger. Ganondorf had returned.