Link hopped astride Epona, and galloped triumphantly to the east, Ikana Canyon. This was his last destination before he was able to save Termina. He charged through the canyon, ignoring any and all enemies to arrive in the main substance of Ikana. He looked around, and searched for where he would want to start. The area was in a terrible drought, and he decided to head to where the water would be flowing from. He clambered into it, and looked around for the source of the problem.

It was very forthcoming.

What business have you in Ikana Kingdom, land where only the dead roam?

A ghostly spirit appeared over the dead waters. His baton marked him as a composer. And his crossed eyes marked him as very angry.

This is no place for one as full of life as you. Or do you say that you wish to join the dead? That can be arranged. Merely listen to my song, and you shall join the ranks of the dead, the ghost said. Link began to feel a tightening of his chest. He pulled his ocarina to his lips, and plated.

XYRXYR

Hm? My heart feels at ease… there is serenity to your tune. Yet… To one of death and darkness like myself, a song like that no longer holds any meaning for me. Do not interrupt a master composer like myself! the ghost said. Link sighed. The cramp in his chest got tighter. He pulled his ocarina to his lips again, and before he fell to the pain, pulled out one last tune, to at least benefit the land.

LRA-LRA

The Song of Storms created a massive storm within the cave, filling the water supply, and sending the ghostly composer reeling. Link's chest has been released, but he had lost air for the time being.

"Link… Link…" a female voice said. Link looked around. He appeared to be in an odd dream world. He spotted the source of the voice. A young girl in a beautiful, elegant dress stood there. She looked just like Malon.

"Malon?" Link asked. He was surprised by his voice. It was cute and boyish.

"Yes, Link…" Malon said.

"Malon! I haven't seen you in ages. I've really wanted to see you again!" Link called out.

"Of course… but Link… don't you have something to do?" Malon asked. Link looked around.

"Oh, right… Termina. I'll be back as soon as I can!" Link said.

"I'll be waiting, Link. Just hurry… I do want to see you again, you know?" Malon said. Link nodded. He had to get back to normal.

Ye who do not fear the dead. You have broken my curse. I thank you for your efforts, the composer said. Link shook himself awake. He was lying in Ikana Canyon, outside a stone castle. He vaguely recognised the building from a cursory passing.

We dead have been forced to linger in this land by an outside, malevolent force. If you have no fear of the dead, you must go to the temple and recreate the link to the afterlife. You must visit the King to get a very necessary tool. He lies within the ruins that stand behind me. I shall open the way. For my final request… I desire for you to help us return to normal, the composer said. Link nodded. The composer vanished, as did a massive block concealing the temple. Link stepped forward, wondering what happened when he blacked out. Probably just a weird dream from nearly dying.

Link walked through the decrepit throne room. Barren as it was, Link was easily able to navigate to the throne room of the castle. It was a chamber flooded with light.

Oh, insolent one who has brought the unthinkable into a land as dark as Ikana… My servants have fallen namelessly before the light that guides you, a ghostly voice said. The light in the room was blocked out, leaving the chamber in darkness.

However… The darkness in which my servants live is, after all, fleeting. You shall see with your own eyes… Just what kind of thing true darkness really is! the ghost finished. Link heard the sound of two skeletons marching towards him. He needed light to fight. He quickly assumed Darmani's shape, and punched a hole in a wall to flood the chamber with light again. Changing back into human form, he prepared to fight. He pulled out his butter knife of a sword, and duelled with the skeletons. He stabbed one, and slashed at the other. The two skeletons circled him, cackling menacingly. Link looked for a solution.

The light!

Link remembered the skeleton's adamance of flooding the room with darkness. Link went into one of the pillars of light, and presented his shield to the enemy. The pale sheen of the shield could reflect light, and the jets of light shone onto the skeletons, dissolving them into dust.

Grr… If that is what I must do, I will face you myself! the first voice cried out. A third skeleton, clad in exquisite, royal robes, strode forth, bearing a shield and a long sword. Link locked blades with the king, but his Kokiri Sword was warped by the king's massive war blade, sending it flying. Link would probably never see it again. Link presented his shield, but the skeleton presented his own. The light would not shine on this fellow.

I need an attack, I need an attack… Link thought to himself. He looked at the ground, and saw the two scimitar-like blades the original skeletons bore. He remembered Malon using them. If a ranch girl could wield them, why not a legendary hero? He picked up the two blades, and tried to remember some Gerudo tactics. He swung the blades like he would a sword, which the king deflected casually. Link thought to himself. He closed his eyes, and saw Malon swinging the Gerudo blades in his mind's eye. He mimicked her movements, and heard metal crunch against bone. He opened his eyes, and saw the skeleton begin to crumble. Hurriedly, he shone some light on it, dissolving it.

Three skulls began to float above him. They looked like the skulls of the defeated skeletons.

You're blocking me! Get out of the way! I can still get him!

Blocking you? The reason he beat us is because you were so feeble! Don't blame this on me!

What? Just try saying that again to my bony face!

Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble! Feeble!

Shut up, already! Grrrr! Don't look at me- I was once called the best swordsman in all of Ikana!

The greatest swordsman in all of Ikana? You? Feeeeeeeeble.

Draw your weapon!

Huh?

I'm telling you to draw your blade!

How?

Rrrrrrr-Ah!

Will you stop it? Do you not notice we have a guest? It is rude to bicker in company! the third skull, the obvious leader, said to shut up the first two from bickering. It said a lot about Link's life that this was the second time he saw two dead and vanquished foes bickering intolerably.

Haven't you begun to understand? The kingdom being ruined and us left in this state… Wasn't it petty battles like this one that caused it? the skull asked. This caused the two others to vanish.

Believing in your friends and embracing that belief by forgiving failure… these are the types of feelings that passed on to the afterlife without us. The doors of the Stone Tower were forced open, and strife has plagued the passage to death. Hero of the Light, I am the King of Ikana Kingdom, Igos du Ikana. Or at least, that was my title in life. I suppose I don't have much of a kingdom to rule today. The spell that bound our souls to this world was broken by the light you bear. To return the light to our abode truly, you must seal the Stone Tower. To our kind, the tower is impenetrable… but I have one soldier for you. One who has no spirit. One whom will not falter in his step. Play this song to summon him, the spirit of the king said.

Y-XY-RYAX

Link played this song, and a sickly feeling rumbled in his stomach. He stepped from his spot, and saw a light form a statue where he stood. This statue looked exactly like him… but with minute differences. The face was poorly crafted, with an expression torn between shock and pain on his face. His tunic was torn along his stomach.

This heartless one is your twin image. A body torn from the feelings of loss and emptiness. By changing shape, you can leave one shell for each shape you can assume. Shine the light of justice upon my kingdom! Igos du Ikana said, vanishing the way of the other skulls. He left behind a replacement sword. Thanks.

Link climbed into the Stone Tower Temple. The confounding tower was only passable by using his varied forms, and their corresponding heartless shells. The Deku Scrub's shell was that of a warped tree, Darmani's in a pose that appeared to be falling, with a gruesome tear on his chest, and Mikau's in a drowned, pinched shape with a variety of scars. All four statues were amazingly creepy, and Link had no idea how these shapes were even created, much less what they represented. Nevertheless, grabbing the Light Arrows along the path, and finding the temple's boss. Considering how he got there, he was sure he missed a step, but he didn't mind. He was simply watching the weird worm enemies.

Giant Masked Insects: TWINMOLD!

Twinmold circled the arena, and Link watched it do so. Aiming the Light Arrows at its tails seemed effective, but it was taking a bit of a long time, and he was drawing close to the third night. Link looked through his inventory, trying to find a satisfactory tool. He slipped on his Hover Boots, and tried to see where he could get with that. A Twinmold dived under him, and dragged him into the sky.

Wah!

Link was disoriented by the sudden change in pace. He stood atop the Twinmold, and looked at the back of the head. He stepped forward, his Hover Boots allowing him to step carefully. He plunged his new gilded sword into the Twinmold's neck. The reinforced steel was much more powerful than his old butter knife, and the blow was well aimed. This Twinmold scattered into dust. Link hurriedly aimed his Hookshot, and fired at the second Twinmold, latching in between the Twinmold's eyes. All three of them looked towards Link, as he hung on for dear life. He stabbed all three of Twinmold's eyes in rapid succession, killing the second Twinmold. Twinmold plummeted into the sand, and Link took the mask of the insect.

The fourth chamber of the guardian giants. Link had freed them all. Just one step left before he saved Termina.

"Well, we've saved your butts from those weird masks. I… don't know how we did it, but we did! Now, could you please help us stop the moon from falling?" Tatl asked. The giant moaned.

"Call us… You'll help us? Thank gods! We'll get to the Clock Tower, and win the day!" Tatl said. The giant moaned as the chamber dissipated.

"Forgive your friend… Huh?" Tatl asked, stumped.

Link appeared in front of the Stone Tower. Ikana Canyon had blossomed into a much more lively place, with all of the dead and withered plants, animals and peoples having retreated from the dead land. Link was ready. He ran towards the Clock Tower in Clock Town.

The time for action was now.