MASK
~A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction~
Prologue
"There is an ancient legend. One that has struck fear into the hearts of those who tell and hear it. It is one of absolute power and death.
"The legend says that once, many thousands of years ago, there was a powerful warrior who traveled far and wide to defeat a monster. The monster, however, was invincible to any weaponry, its armor thick, and its temper merciless. Any who laid eye upon it would never live to tell the tale, for the monster slayed all who saw it.
"This warrior, however, knew how to beat it. With the sound of music, he tempted the beast into dancing. Neither stopped during those first few days: the monster danced; the warrior played. But one was going to give in.
"As the third day came to a close, the beast, exhausted, collapsed, breathing its last breath. The warrior took its armor and, as a token of his victory, made from it a mask, one that – unbeknownst to the warrior – housed the vile monster's spirit inside it.
"When the warrior brought back the mask, others in his tribe wanted to wear it, sensing great magic within it. It was a grave mistake. Though the mask granted unspeakable power to the wearer, he or she became insane, killing any and all around, just like the monster.
"The mask became known as Majora's Mask.
"As the generations passed, the mask was lost to the ravages of time once its true power was revealed. Time and time again, it would appear, and devastation would ensue. But then it disappeared. For five hundred years, no one has seen this mask. And because of this, a new legend has been wrought: when the Mask of Majora shows up again, the end of the world with come about."
"RINKU!"
The story-teller stopped, cringing slightly at the sound of his wife's voice. Before him, his two children sat in rapt attention, their expressions begging for more. Rinku looked up toward the doorway of the room. "Yes, my dearest Zelda?"
Zelda glared at him. "Why are you telling them that story?"
"They asked for a scary story," Rinku replied, shrugging, before turning to his children. "Right?"
Both kids nodded.
Zelda didn't stop glaring at Rinku. "If they get nightmares from that story, you're dealing with them."
"Fine by me." Rinku stood and stretched his arms over his head. "Alright, bedtime!"
"Aw!" the two children chorused.
"But it was such a cool story!" the boy protested.
"Indeed, Link," Rinku said. "That's why I chose it."
"But," the girl added, "it was creepy. Does the mask really exist?"
"Zellie, don't dwell on it," Zelda told her daughter. "Most likely it doesn't."
Zellie didn't seem convinced. She played with her dark braid, looking up at her father.
"Your mother's right," Rinku said. "No one's actually confirmed the existence of Majora's Mask." This time, Zellie nodded. "Now. Off to bed with you two," Rinku told her.
Zellie and Link quickly bid their parents goodnight before scurrying from the bedroom. Rinku sighed. He heard the two children teasing each other as they made their way to their rooms, only to be quickly admonished by the Sheikah Impa.
"I think I spooked Zelda too much," Rinku said, grinning at his wife.
"You're dealing with her tonight," she replied. "I know Zellie's going to wake up with nightmares."
"Come now, Zelda, that's the mother's job."
Zelda laughed. "And what's the father's job: herding goats?"
Rinku pretending to look offended. "I'll have you know herding goats is a noble profession."
Zelda laughed, sitting down on the bed. "Sure it is. But, seeing as you were the one who told the story, you are going to be the one to get her to go back to sleep."
"Yes, my dear, I understand."
"Good."
Deep in the woods in a distant corner of Hyrule – a region that people simply called Termina – a skull kid stopped, noticing something strange poking out from underneath a bush. The two fairies accompanying him turned.
"What's up, Skull Kid?" the purple fairy asked.
"Check this out!" Skull Kid had fished out the object from under the bush.
The yellow fairy sighed. "Ugh, Skull Kid, don't touch it. There's something weird about it. Remember the last time you touched something you didn't know?"
"Yeah. But I know what this is. It's a mask!" He held it out to show his companions. Indeed it was a mask, but there was something about it. The gaze was creepy, sending chills though the yellow fairy. Skull Kid put the mask on and cocked his head in a questioning manner. "Well? Do I look scary?"
"Uh-huh!" the purple fairy exclaimed.
"Yes," the yellow fairy agreed. "Now put it back. It feels dangerous."
Skull Kid was silent, staring at the yellow fairy. Finally, he replied. "...No... I don't think I will."
And with that, the three travelers set off through the forest once more.
Author's note: Here it is! The sequel to my fanfiction Hero of the Ocarina. Well, sort of. I really don't know when I'm going to be updating as I am a busy college student with lots of papers to write and reading to read... :P
Anyway, a couple of notes. Please read them so you aren't confused. First, I'm making Termina a region in Hyrule even though I know it is a different...demension? I thought it would work better. If not, then I will have to change everything. Secondly, the legend Rinku told his children is based on a chapter in the Majora's Mask manga by Akira Himekawa. SO: Akira Himekawa owns that idea, not me. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will enjoy the story!
