Author's Note: This chapter is very long, mainly because I summarize Link's experiences in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. If you would not like the story to be spoiled, skip the part where Link tells his story. There will be a line before and after. However, as each game has been released on multiple consoles and the 3DS, I find it highly unlikely that this is the case.
Samus, who was not in her suit, had been on her way back to her room when she noticed something odd; a chair was lodging a door shut. Instantly on guard, the bounty hunter carefully crept over to the door, though she sped up when she heard the cries for help from within. Pulling the chair out from under the doorknob, she yanked the door open.
Zelda, upon her release from Link's room, practically leapt into Samus's arms, shaking as she tried to calm herself. Pulling in a breath, she released the confused blonde from her grasp, wiping away her remaining tears. "Thank you, Samus."
Samus, for her part, didn't press the issue, seeing how Zelda wouldn't take it well. She merely smiled down at the child.
"I have to go to Master Hand at this time. He needs to know what happened. I'll be fine." With that, Zelda set off, leaving Samus alone. Seamus sighed, before continuing on her way. There was nothing she could do, so there was no point in pressing the issue.
Master Hand was silent as Zelda told her tale. When she had finished, he felt the familiar anger course through him. It was truly the goddesses fault! All of this pain, suffering. None of it had to happen. If they would have just given him the respect he deserved, everything would have been perfect. Instead, their meddling had thrown a wrench in his plans.
He was about to send a party to capture Link when a knock sounded on the door.
"Enter," called the Hand as he sighed. Yet another delay.
Fox opened the door, closing it softly behind him."Master Hand, Link is doing well."
"How so?"
"We held a race, and it made him relax. He's now made friends with myself, Falco, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Charizard, Sonic, Luigi, and Yoshi."
"Excellent work, Fox."
It was now that Zelda spoke up. "How do we know that he won't snap again?"
Master Hand turned to her. "Zelda, everyone deserves a second chance. He's just scared. When he finally relaxes, we'll all benefit, and we can cure him. If he never learns to trust us, he won't let us help him."
She sighed. "Alright. I still don't think it's wise, but I'll help."
"Actually, you may want to avoid him as well. You said he think's you're not real, so if he sees you, he'll stop trusting us."
Master Hand waved, a clear dismissal of the two fighters. They each left the room to their different destinations. Fox went to Link, while Zelda found an empty lounge.
It had been about a week. Nearly every inhabitant of the Smash Castle had befriended the charming boy, save Master Hand, Crazy Hand, Zelda, Ganondorf, Bowser, and Mario. Bowser hadn't been interested in Link, and he spent his days with Ganondorf.
Mario had tried on numerous occasions to approach Link, but the child had always found a way to elude him, causing Mario to fall into a mild depression. How could his friend not want to see him? He had played with nearly everyone else, so why avoid him?
The sun was setting outside, and most of the castle's inhabitants were in the dining hall, eating the meal provided. Tonight was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttery corn, and yeast rolls.
Mario sat near the back of the hall, far away from Link. He watched his former friend closely, so closely that Luigi had settled next to his brother in order to restrain him, should the need arise.
Link was unaware of this, laughing as he played a game called rock, paper, scissors. It was the same as rock, parchment, shears, except with a different name. He won and lost to the Ness, though he really didn't care either way. He was just glad that he had made friends.
As the night wore on, Master Hand beckoned Sonic over to him and whispered to the hedgehog. Sonic nodded, and set off. a few minutes later, he brought in a small platform strong enough to hold even the heaviest fighters. He then stood upon it and made an announcement.
"We all know that we're powerful." At this, a few cheers went up, along with a whistle. When the room quieted once more, Sonic continued. "I thought it would be fun to share some of our adventures with each other." Another cheer went up, though there were a few confused glances. Hadn't they already done this? Then the slower ones caught on. Link didn't remember them. This would be new to him, plus he'd have new stories as well.
Sonic went first, telling those gathered about defeating Dr. Robotnik. Next, Olimar and a few Pikmen took the platform. He told those gathered about crashing on a strange planet and teaching the Pikmen to defend themselves. Other fighters took the stage, some telling their entire tales, others mentioning just a battle or two, of a particular instance of glory. People clapped politely after Pikachu, for nobody understood her.
Jigglypuff then took the stage and sang, putting everyone temporarily to sleep. She then took an entire cake from the dessert table and ate it. Everyone woke up, and only Kirby noticed the cake's absence, as the rest were too entranced by the tales being told.
Finally, it was Link's turn. "Ummm... Do you want the whole story, or just a piece?"
"All of it!" they called, and Link began his tale.
"I was raised in the forested region of Hyrule known as the Kokiri Forest and the Lost Woods. As a Kokiri, I would never grow up, but if I left the Forest, I would die. We all had guardian fairies, well, all except for me. Because I didn't have one, Mido and the others would often pick on me, calling me a No-Fairy. My only friend was Saria, but she wasn't always in the Forset, often disappearing into the Lost Woods.
"One day, I was woken up by a little fairy. She said her name was Navi, and that she was to be my guardian. I was very happy, but then she said that the father of the forest, the Great Deku Tree, had summoned me. This was a big deal, so I was excited." Link stopped at this point to take a drink of water, before continuing.
Link told them about learning the Songs, meeting people, and his travels. He told them about defeating Queen Gohma, King Dodongo, and Barinade. He told them about becoming sworn brothers with a Goron named Darunia and Betrothed to a Zora named Ruto, but he didn't know what that meant, earning a chuckle from the adults in the room. He met Zelda, Impa, Malon, Talon, Epona, and Ingo.
He then became quieter, telling them about seeing Zelda chased out of the Castle by Ganondorf, her throwing the Ocarina of Time into the moat, learning the Song of Time, seeing the guard die in the back ally as he begged Link for help. He told them about unlocking the Door of Time, raising the Master Sword, and Ganondorf entering in behind him, gaining the Triforce.
Link stopped at this point, drawing in a shuddering breath and hugging himself, lost in his own thoughts. After being prompted by Palutena, he continued.
He told them about waking up seven years later, Meeting Sheik, Castle Town being filled with Redeads, the world covered in darkness. He ran to the Ranch, the first place he saw, but Talon was gone. Into had taken over. Link told them about saving Epona, and the Ranch by extension. He then rode to the forest to find it filled with monsters, and the Kokiri didn't recognize him. He ran to the Forest Temple, but Saria wasn't there. Sheik taught him the Minuet of Forest before leaving. Link entered the Temple, fought the enemies and awakened Saria, who told him that they would always be friends. Link's face had a small smile during this interaction before he frowned once more.
The Deku Tree Sprout told him that he was not a Kokiri and that his parents were dead before Link traveled to Death Mountain, where he saved the Gorona from Volvagia and awakened Darunia. He then met up with Ruto once more at the Water Temple, where he awakened her as a sage. He then Traveled to Kakariko, which was on fire. He then Defeated Bongo Bongo, saving Impa. Finally, he went to the Spirit Temple, where the had to go backwards in time to do the first half and forward for the second.
He used the power of the Sages to defeat Ganondorf, then Ganon. Zelda, who was Shiek, sent him back to his time with the Ocarina of Time. Navi left him, and nobody remembered anything. He warned Zelda and the King of Ganondorf's plan, and he was executed. Zelda gave him the Ocarina of Time once more, and he took Epona and set off.
He searched for months, ending up in the forest, but away from the Kokiri. So lonely, for nobody remembered anything, he became obsessed with Navi, He was mugged by the Skull Kid, who stole his Ocarina and Epona. Link gave chase and ended up falling into Termina. He was cursed, becoming a Deku Scrub. Tata, who helped in the mugging, teamed up with Link after the Skull Kid left her behind. He met the Happy Mask Salesman, who told him that if Link got back the Ocarina, he would return him to his true state. In return, Link would get Majora's Mask from the Skull Kid.
Link entered into Clock Town, learning that in three days, the moon would crash into the Earth, destroying everyone. Link wasn't allowed to leave the town because he had no weapons. He spent the three days saving the Great Fairy, earning entry into the Bomber's Secret Society, trading the Moon's Tear for property, and landing on the Clock Tower. At midnight of the third day, the doors opened, allowing Link to go to the top, where Skull Kid awaited. He retrieved his Ocarina and played the Song of Time, returning to the Dawn of the First day. He found the Salesman, who taught him the Song of Healing, curing his curse.
He then learned that Majora's Mask was to blame, for it was filled with great evil, destroying the sanity of those who wore it. Link travelled to the Southern Swamp, using his Deku Mask to gain entry. He learned the Sonata of Awakening, which would open the Temple. He then traveled to Woodfall and activated the owl statue, allowing him to teleport there should the need arise. He was unable to finish in time, having to start time. He finally made it through the Temple, defeating Odolwa, saving the Deku Princess, earning the Mask of Scents, and learning the Oath to Order.
He then restarted time and helped those he could, earning the Blast Mask, Bremen Mask, Great Fairy Mask, Kafei's Mask, and Kamaro's Mask.
He then went North, where he entered Snowed, defeated Goht, and earned the ability to use Big Bombs. He restarted Time.
Using the Goron Mask and Big Bomb, entering Romani Ranch. There, he met Romani and Cremia, reunited with Epona, destroyed the attackers, helped Cremia drive off thieves, and, using the Bremen Mask, raised the cucoos to adulthood, earning the Bunny Hood. He then raced the Gorman Brothers, winning Garo's Mask. He restarted Time.
He then traveled west to the Great Bay, where he used the Song of Healing on Mikau to earn the Zora's Mask. Saving Lulu's Eggs from the Pirates and the Seahorse from the fisherman, Link learned the song New Wave Bossa Nova, which returned Lulu's voice and gave him access to the Great Bay Temple. He completed this temple, exiting. He then reset time.
His quest nearly over, Link travelled east to Ikana Canyon, where he saved Pamela and her Father, Captain Keeta, and the Spirits left in the Canyon. He Learned the Elegy of Emptiness, then had to restart time. He returned to the Canyon, climbing up to Stone Tower. He entered the confusing temple, having to restart time twice before he defeated Twinmold. He restarted Time.
Even after all of this, Link wasn't ready to give up on the people. He went around and did everything he possibly could for them all, in the hopes that someone would somehow remember him. By doing this, he reunited the lovers Anu and Kafei, listened to a grandmother ramble, learned about the history of this world, received special milk for the Troupe Leader, freed the guard from the Pirates fortress, and everything else he possibly could.
Everytime, however, nobody remembered him. He finally gave up. Restarting, Link did the most important tasks, defeating the bosses once more, reuniting Anju and Kafei, Saving Pamela and her Dad, freeing the Spirits in the Canyon, teaching the dancers Kamaro's Mask, saving Romani and Cremia, and saving the eggs from the Pirates and Serpents. He then climbed the Clock Tower.
Majora's Mask gave up on Skull Kid, snapping his neck before entering the moon. Link followed. On the moon, Link challenged the Moon Children's "games," giving away his Masks. He then received the Fierce Deity's mask. Major then challenged him. However, Link had worked hard for his masks, and he wasn't going to let them go. He played the Song of Time, returning to the Dawn of the First Day.
Link repeated his actions, but this time, he used the Fierce Deity. This opened up a few hours, which he used to free the seahorse and save the man in the Spider House. He then entered the moon, but did not give away his masks. He challenged Majora as the Deity, defeating her. He gave the mask to the Salesman, reunited Tatl with the Skull Kid and Tael, and left Termina for good.
"I then saw a bright flash of light, and it hurt, and then I was here. And..." Link started to cry once more, sobbing. "I never found her. Why did Navi leave me?" Mario couldn't hold himself back anymore. He had to help his friend. He jumped up to hug Link, but Luigi stopped him.
"Mario, no. Link is afraid of you, and you'll make it worse."
"He needs me."
"No, he doesn't. He's happy without you."
"He's not happy." Mario fought Luigi, sending the younger brother sprawling into the floor. Mario then ran to the platform, where he wrapped Link in his arms, pulling the child to his chest.
Link, of course, flinched away from the contact, then screamed when he saw who had him.
"You... I know now where I know you from."
Mario smiled, thinking that Link finally remembered him. That is, until Link ripped himself away from Mario.
"You're one of the Happy Mask Salesman's masks! I saw you on his back."
"Well, Link, I am popular, and there are a lot of masks in my image."
"No." Link's voice was angry, hateful. "You're not real. Stay away, or I'll make you." He then turned and ran out of the room, followed swiftly by Fox.
Author's Note: There was a bit of confusion as to why I cannot update over the summer. My school has a wonderful technology program. Every student, from sixth grade until they graduate, is allowed to rent a laptop for the school year. We usually receive them a week before school starts, and we return them a week before it lets out. However, last year, they took up the laptops two weeks before school ended, and we didn't receive them until nearly six weeks after school started.
It truly is a blessing, and I am grateful for this. They have to take them up over the summer, as people move away and would have no way of returning the laptops if the school is closed. That is why I will be unable to update during the summer.
I will still write this, perhaps in a notebook, but you will not see anything for a few months.
Finally, I have started to work faster, hoping to have enough out there to be acceptable. If My writing suffers, let me know.
Thank you to all who have favorite, followed, reviewed, or viewed this story. There is also a man who holds a special place in my heart, for they have been so kind. You know who you are.