Highly Important that you read this!

This chapter was uploaded within an hour of the last one. If you haven't read the previous chapter, I'd suggest doing that at this time. Thank you.


As Link ran towards the fence, shouts arose from those who spotted him, and while most ignored the little boy, Fox and Falco chased him, causing Link to panic further. Link reached the building, which turned out to be stables. Darting inside, he looked frantically, before he found Epona. She was now a young filly, too small for an adult, but a good size for Link to ride. Link moved over to his friend, who nuzzled him gently, earning a giggle from Link. It was then that Fox and Falco caught up to Link, and they stepped up behind him, unintentionally blocking the door with their bodies.

"Hey, Link. Where you headed to?" Fox asked, smiling down at him.

"Please no! Don't hurt me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to escape, I just-"

"Wait a minute there. Just calm down, kiddo." Fox crouched down a bit so that the two were at eye level, and he grimaced when he saw the tears rolling down Link's face. The boy was pale, and he was sweating, eyes flicking around for a chance of escape. Suddenly getting an idea, Link reached into his bag and put on the Keaton Mask.

Fox blinked, staring at the mask. Just like with the Keatons, Fox was not fooled by this mask that looked like a cross between himself and Pikachu. "Link, I can still tell that it's you. However, it was a clever trick, so I think I'll reward you." At this, both Falco and Link looked at him confusedly, though you couldn't tell with Link.

"I'll gather some of the other people who live here, and we can all have a race! Then maybe we'll have a party afterward, with cake. How's about it?"

"A- a race sounds like fun, but... What's cake?"

At this, Falco was saddened. The poor little scrap, not even knowing what cake was. However, he his his sadness under a cocky smile. "If you agree to the race, you'll find out."

"Can I ride Epona?"

"Of course you can! I doubt everyone is going to run." Fox and Falco shared a look, communicating silently. Falco set off to gather some of the other fighters, while Fox remained behind to watch Link.


Fox had spent the hour talking to Link, who hadn't taken off the mask. Link's replies to Fox's questions had been short and simple, when he had replied at all. This slightly annoyed Fox, but he understood that Link was just afraid and in need of reassurance. As such, Fox had helped Link prepare Epona, brushing her body, mane, and tail. They then saddled her up, but they used no bridle, to Fox's confusion. However, when he asked about it, he got no response.

Sighing, Fox returned to his post near the door, watching Link with his horse. Now that she was saddled up, she wanted nothing more than to run around. Link pulled himself into the saddle, and Fox got in the way. "Oh, no. You can't do take her out yet. Because," He noticed Link grip his bow and realized that he was scaring the boy again. Quickly, he changed his tactics, attempting to apply simple logic that the boy would understand. "Because it would ruin the surprise. The others don't know who you are or how you'll race."

Link sighed and dismounted, giving Epona a pat on her flank. He nodded in understanding, then asked, "Can I go outside, at least?"

"I don't see why not, as long as we stay in the pasture." Fox was relieved that the boy was speaking to him, even if he didn't take off that ridiculous mask. Together, the duo exited the stables from the opposite side that they entered, going into a large, grassy field. It was fenced in on all sides, and many horses, Pokemon, cows, goats, and other creatures roamed.

Link finally removed the Keaton Mask, smiling at the horses as they galloped past. He then put his plan into action. Walking to the center of the pasture, he pretended to pet a cow, walking around it, putting it between himself and Fox. He then pulled out his Ocarina, and played eleven notes. The first three repeated three times, and the last two notes ended the song.

When Epona's Song rang across the field, Epona was teleported nearby, and Link quickly ran to her, climbing into the saddle. Fox realized that he had been tricked, and ra over to the two, intending to stop their departure. He reached up to grab her bridle, but there was nothing there. Link kicked Epona's sides, and she took off at a gallop, racing towards the entrance.

However, Epona stopped there. It turns out that While Link was walking towards the cow, Fox had closed the gates and locked them, trapping the horse inside. Wheeling around, they rushed towards the fence, which was also too high for the filly to leap over. Sighing in defeat, Link rode towards Fox, who waited with his arms crossed.

"Really?"

Link dismounted and looked at the ground, too afraid to meet Fox's gaze. He shrugged, then flinched away when Fox reached for him. Fox noticed this and continued, determined to comfort the boy. He touched Link's shoulder, gripping it gently. He then dropped to one knee and pulled the startled boy in for a hug.

Link, of course, was shocked. He had only been hugged by one person, and it was technically once, because time kept repeating itself in Termina. Naturally, he didn't know how to respond and left his arms handing limply by his sides. Fox, feeling Link's reluctance, sighed and released the boy, looking into his eyes.

"Link, you are braver than you think. You're also smart, but reckless. You should have been more aware of your surroundings. You would have noticed me shutting the gate, and you wouldn't have attempted escape. I'm not angry, so relax."

Link sighed again, confused by these events. Why would Fox hug him if he'd made a mistake? It was just so weird. Link didn't have long to ponder because Falco returned then, followed by Pikachu, Yoshi, Sonic, Luigi, Charizard, and, surprisingly, Jigglypuff.


They racers were lined up at the starting line, Link on Epona, Luigi on Yoshi, and all others on foot. The race was simple. They would go one lap around the castle, staying on the track. They would have to jump over a few fences and water pits that had been set up for this event. The first one to cross the finish line would be the winner, and everyone would be served cake in the order they finished.

Luigi looked over at Link, thinking to himself. The only reason he was riding Yoshi in this race was so that Link wasn't the only one not on foot. Leading the gentle dinosaur over to the candy-red horse, smiling at Link. "Let's a-go! I hope we all have fun." Link, of course, just looked at Luigi, no longer afraid of anyone, as he was too excited for the race.

"Everyone to their staring places!" They all prepared to go, leaning forward, many smiling at the chance to play together.

"Ready... GO!"

Everyone took off then, Link and Luigi giving Epona and Yoshi light kicks to their sides, causing them to take off. Pikachu ran forward as fast as her little legs could carry her, so quickly that static began to build up in her fur. Charizard used her powerful wings to propel herself forward, while Fox and Falco simply ran. Sonic didn't run at his top speed, holding himself back so that he didn't tire himself out. Jigglypuff started at what would be considered a jog for most, though she tried her hardest.

Epona easily outpaced Yoshi, Charizard, Jigglypuff, Fox, and Falco, leaving Pikachu and Sonic. The three in the front of the race rounded the corner, and soon came upon their first obstacle. It was a series of three fences, the first two being low, and the third twice as high as the first. Pikachu jumped to the top of the first fence, then, using Quick Attack, she leapt off of it, landing behind the third wall. However, this tired her out, and she had to rest for a moment. This moment, however, was too long for her to keep her lead, and Epona leapt over all three walls in succession, landing in a gallop on the other side.

Sonic was tired of holding back, and began to run at top speed. He soon blurred, and disappeared around the corner. Link saw how large of a lead he had and allowed Epona to slow for a short while before another kick sent her back to her top speed. They rounded the corner and saw what was once a water obstacle. However, Sonic's speed had been too much, and the liquid was splattered on the castle wall and around, leaving a chasm. Epona, of course, leapt over this as well, landing on the other side.

Rounding the third corner was a lightly wooded area, which slowed Link and Epona down. Epona, when at full speed, was a bit difficult to lead, and he would run into trees, taking a while to recover. Instead of allowing this, Link slowed out of her gallop, which both allowed her to recover as well as making their travels painless. They exited the woods, and Link and Epona sped up once more. Rounding the corner, Link and Epona crossed the finish/starting line, earning second place.

Now, in his experience, Link didn't get anything for second best, so he was a bit disappointed. Instead of dwelling on his sadness, he decided to watch the rest of the race. Third was Fox, fourth was Pikachu, fifth place was Falco, sixth place was awarded to Luigi and Yoshi, seventh place came out to be Charizard and Jigglypuff, who had rushed ahead by charging, then leaping onto the Fire-type.

Everyone was awarded with a "cake," as it was called. Link's eyebrows scrunched up as he gazed at the treat. Hesitantly, he took a bite, chewing slowly, before swallowing. He then ate it as fast as he could. It was so good! The cake was a simple strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, but it was the sweetest thing Link had ever eaten.

Smiling, he was finally relaxed enough to talk to the others, after getting more cake, of course. He played a bit with Pikachu, who laughed at the Keaton Mask. Link was laughing, and he seemed to be comfortable around his friends. Fox smiled as he watched his plan succeed. Link just might recover after all.


Incredibly Important Author's Note: I will not be able to finish this before school lets out. I will have to return this laptop, and I will be unable to continue to write until School starts once more. I will be able to get on and review, though.

My only other way of accessing the internet is through my Nintendo 3DS. It's very finicky, and while it allows me to read and review stories, I will be unable to write my own. I do not know when they will take the laptops away, but I know it will be soon. That is why I am writing this now. Please do not think that I'm giving up, because I will pick up on this as soon as I am able.